The Counterespionage Law was promulgated in 2014 and entered into force on November 1, 2014.

There are 40 articles in total.

The key points are as follows:

1.National security authorities are the authorities in charge of counterespionage work.

2.National security authorities shall, in accordance with the law, perform the functions of investigation, detention, interrogation and execution of arrest as well as other functions prescribed by the law in counterespionage work.

3.Espionage compromising national security of the People’s Republic of China, whether committed by an overseas institution, organization or individual or by any other person as instigated or funded by the aforesaid or committed by a domestic institution, organization or individual in collusion with an overseas institution, organization or individual, shall be subject to legal liability.

4.Citizens and organizations shall provide facilitation or other assistance to counterespionage work. A citizen or organization that discovers any espionage shall report to a national security authority in a timely manner. During a national security authority’s investigation into espionage or collection of relevant evidence, the relevant organizations and individuals shall honestly provide the relevant information or evidence, and may not refuse to do so.