Chinese lawmakers are mulling re-branding the National Security Law with more provisions for counterespionage.
A draft has been submitted to the bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, suggesting changing the title to the Counterespionage Law.
Geng Huichang is China's Minister of State Security.
"The National Security Law issued in 1993 has played a crucial role in safeguarding national security and preventing acts that could compromise security. To address new challenges on the security front and regulate counterespionage, we advise lawmakers to amend the current security law. The idea is to give more prominence to counterespionage, and provide stronger legislative support to counterespionage work."
The planned changes would include new regulations on counterespionage that have proven effective in practice, but not been written into the current laws.
The proposed changes also state that foreign organizations or individuals who conduct espionage activities, or who instigate or sponsor others to do it, will be punished.
Domestic organizations and individuals who spy on the country for foreign organizations and individuals are also subject to this regulation.
The draft also grants national security agencies the authority to seal and seize any properties that are related to espionage under certain circumstances.
The current national security law has not been revised since it took effect in 1993.
