What is China's Spy Agency Talking About This Week? (February 28, 2025)

The PRC's counterespionage priorities - and how foreign companies can operate safely.

Welcome to The Spy Hunter newsletter!

Please check out this post to find out more about me, the newsletter, and what to expect from upcoming paid posts.

Thank you and enjoy reading!

What is China's Spy Agency Talking About This Week? (February 28, 2025)

This week, The Spy Hunter newsletter checks back in with China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) to see what the country’s top spy agency is talking about on social media (see previous posts on this topic here and here).

Since joining the Chinese messaging app WeChat in 2023, the MSS, historically one of China’s most secretive organizations, has used the platform to highlight threats from foreign spies and encourage public vigilance, underscoring China’s intensified security culture under Xi Jinping.

The posts stress a “whole-of-society” security regime where citizens are called to defend against omnipresent foreign threats. By shaping this narrative, the MSS seeks to portray foreign spies as lurking everywhere and potentially targeting anyone.

So what can foreign companies operating in China learn from the MSS social media account?

The MSS’ social media posts offer direct insights into the Chinese government’s security priorities and regulatory expectations, allowing companies to adjust their practices to align with evolving standards.

By understanding these signals, foreign companies can avoid compliance errors that could result in legal repercussions. Given the heightened security environment in China, foreigners face the increasingly likely possibility of being detained should they run afoul of the country’s ever evolving anti-espionage regulations. Moreover, MSS messaging often reflects broader national policy shifts that can impact various industries, helping businesses navigate China's regulatory landscape.

Let’s take a look.