In the News: Anti-Espionage Law Expanded; EU Proposes Sanctions on Chinese Companies; and PDD Relocates to Ireland

The National People's Congress in Beijing, China. Credit: Franck Camhi/Adobe Stock

Amendment to the PRC Anti-Espionage Law

On April 26, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed an amendment to China's anti-espionage legislation, the PRC Anti-Espionage Law (反间谍法), which will come into effect on July 1, 2023.

Under the amended law, all "documents, data, materials, and items related to national security and interests" will be under the same protection as state secrets. What might fall under "national security and interests" is not defined. Furthermore, it expands the definition of espionage to include cyber-attacks against state organs or critical information infrastructure. Authorities will be able to gain access to data, electronic equipment, information on personal property and ban border crossings while carrying out an anti-espionage investigation.