In recent years, Chinese authorities have notably expanded the scope of what counts as “foreign forces.” “China Digital Times” recently compiled content published over the past three years on the official WeChat account of China’s Ministry of State Security, pointing out that mobile apps, Bluetooth headphones, academic research, studying or working abroad, celebrity worship, matchmaking, and even lifestyle trends like “lying flat” are all now included as scenarios that could be exploited by “foreign forces.”
According to a United Daily News report, “China Digital Times,” a website founded by Xiao Qiang, Visiting Professor at the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Journalism and Director of the “Counter-Power Lab,” recently published an article titled “Where Are the Foreign Forces: A List of State Security Official Account’s Posts,” tallying how social media posts by China’s state security over the past few years reflect the evolving scope of what is considered “foreign forces.”
The article notes that in March 2023, Chen Yixin became minister of the Ministry of State Security, and the following month, the department launched its official WeChat public account “Ministry of State Security.” Three months later, the revised “Counter-Espionage Law” officially came into effect, dramatically broadening the definition of “foreign forces.” Within just four months, these personnel changes, legislation, and the launch of the publicity platform were all completed.
Since then, the ministry’s social media account has ramped up the frequency of its posts, continually expanding the coverage. Articles concerning “foreign forces” over the past three years show that the “tentacles” of foreign espionage have reached into at least five major categories and more than thirty specific scenarios.
The article lists everything from pop-up ads on mobile devices, Bluetooth headphones, app permissions, to academic papers on solar energy, turtles and sea fish, rare plant seeds, as well as celebrity fandom, dating, searching for jobs, studying abroad, and even the “lying flat” attitude toward life. “Almost nothing an ordinary person encounters in a single day remains safe.”
At the end of the article, it asks AI: “If someone wanted to avoid all foreign forces and become a flawless model citizen, what would that person be like?” The answer given was: “A person with no mobile phone, no social contact, no work, no going out, no entertainment, no pets, no plants, but who always maintains high spirits and has absolutely no distracting thoughts.” The suggestion was also made not to use AI, as generative artificial intelligence has now also been listed among technologies that may be exploited by foreign forces.