China's counter-espionage agency has warned that 'anti-China' actors are gathering information on natural resources, energy facilities and terrain in key areas through covert mapping. The data, crucial for infrastructure planning, resource management and military operations, is under constant threat from espionage activities aimed at undermining national security.
China's Ministry of State Security, the country's counter-espionage agency, has issued a warning about covert mapping efforts by 'anti-China' actors aimed at stealing sensitive geographic data. These actors are reportedly gathering information on natural resources, energy facilities, and terrain in key areas, data that is vital for infrastructure planning, resource management, and military operations. The ministry stated that such information is “under constant threat from covert espionage activities aimed at undermining China’s national security.” In its article, the ministry outlined multiple risks and pathways through which geographic data has been leaked or compromised, often due to insider negligence or flawed procedures. A significant concern highlighted is the improper storage and transmission of classified mapping data. For instance, there have been documented cases involving surveyors who illegally transferred sensitive data to networked computers or cloud storage platforms, risking unauthorized access, according to the ministry. The agency emphasized the need for stricter safeguards to protect this critical information from foreign threats.