The U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center is warning American citizens and U.S. companies in China about an expanded counterespionage law that appears to allow its ruling Chinese Community Party greater access and control of their information.
The intelligence agency warned before the law went into effect Saturday that the government has "Expanded legal grounds for accessing and controlling data held by U.S. firms in China." The agency also warned in a bulletin issued Friday: "U.S. companies and individuals in China could also face penalties for traditional business activities that Beijing deems acts of espionage or for actions that Beijing believes assist foreign sanctions against China." Additionally, the law may force Chinese nationals at U.S. firms to assist Beijing's intelligence efforts, U.S. officials said.
The law appear to add to the grown rift between China and the United States, largely over concerns about China's demand for information from foreigners who do business with or within the country.
In recent months and years, U.S. lawmakers and other Americans have raised national security concerns about TikTok, the immensely popular, short-form video app whose parent company, ByteDance, is located in China and purportedly has close ties to the Chinese government.
China's latest updates to its counterespionage law also expand the definition of espionage to include any materials related to undefined national security interests.
China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning defended the law during a press conference last week and said that journalists are fine so long as they follow the law.
"As long as one abides by laws and regulations, there is no need to worry." Some American companies have asked the U.S. government about whether it is safe to travel to China for business.
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