Photo: WeChat account of the Ministry of State Security
A landlord in a coastal city in China has helped national security agencies combat foreign attempts at stealing military secrets by reporting the presence of strange green light, which after investigation was found to be emitted by surveillance equipment used to observe a naval base adjacent to the residential area, China's top anti-espionage authority said on its WeChat account on Wednesday.
According to the Ministry of State Security (MSS), the landlord surnamed Li, who is from a coastal city in China, discovered a strange green light flashing from a room at night, and the room happened to be rented by a foreign company.
Li believed that this situation might involve national security, so he reported it to the local national security agency. "I rented my house to foreigners, but no one has ever stayed there, and the room always emits a green light, which is very suspicious," he said.
After investigation, it was found that if use professional equipment, it was possible to remotely observe a naval base adjacent to the residential area, which is responsible for multiple important military tasks in China. The base also holds significant military activities every year, and among the various naval equipment on display were some of China's most advanced weaponry, which are key targets for infiltration and espionage by foreign intelligence agencies.
The devices emitting green light were covert surveillance and photography equipment set up by foreign intelligence agencies attempting to gain data on China's military equipment through video surveillance. If these videos are transmitted abroad, they may possibly seriously compromise national security, the MSS noted.
Thanks to Li's tipoff, the national security agency successfully stopped foreign forces from stealing China's national military secrets. According to the MSS, Li played a significant role in the successful disruption of illegal activities conducted by foreign spies secretly photographing China's key military targets. Li was issued with a reward for the information he shared with authorities.
The MSS reminded the public that espionage is serious illegal act which harms China's national interest, adding that anti-espionage requires efforts not only from the national security agencies, but also from broad participation of the public. Once suspicious situations endangering national security are found, residents should promptly report to national security agencies, the ministry said.
Global Times
