China broadens law on state secrets to include 'work secrets'

28/2/2024 19:23

        Chinese lawmakers have expanded Beijing's state secrets law for the first time since 2010, widening the scope of restricted sensitive information to "work secrets", according to a full text of the law published online.
        
        Xinhua reported, China's top legislative body passed the revised Law on Guarding State Secrets on Tuesday and it will take effect from May 1.
        
        Analysts say the expanded law is further evidence of Chinese President Xi Jinping's increased focus on national security which has already led to a wide-ranging update to Beijing's anti-espionage law last April that some countries fear could be used to punish regular business activities.
        
        Raids last year by Chinese police on several management consultancies, including Mintz Group and Bain & Co., have raised concerns among the foreign business community in China, and a Japanese pharmaceutical executive has also been detained in Beijing on espionage allegations since last March.