Contact is taking a holiday!

The Chinese authorities have launched a website for the public to report on spies and those engaging in activities endangering state security and attempts to “overthrow the socialist system”, as well as any potential threat from foreign agents and their designs to its “sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security”. The site is in Mandarin and English and promises to provide “material or spiritual reward” as an incentive to Chinese citizens to report “spies”.

The list items 21 reportable activities, including using religion or organising “heretical cult organisations” to engage in activities endangering state security, which are listed as acts of subversion. Also included in the list is collusion with overseas institutions, organisations or individuals to endanger the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security of China. These are itemised as “to subvert the state power”– charges often used to detain Tibetans in occupied Tibet.“Colluding with separatists in exile” is another charge often used to detain Tibetans and is itemised under the heading “to dismember the state”.

Also reportable is information about any foreigner who wilfully meets any person within China who has conducted activities endangering state security or is strongly suspected of doing so. This latter is seen as an attempt to ensure that dissidents of the Chinese political system do not have access to foreign visitors – including journalists.

Anyone suspected of selling or buying state secrets should be reported.

Reporting corrupt officials who are known or suspected to be taking bribes is encouraged. President Xi Jinping has launched an aggressive drive against corruption since taking office although critics have said that it is also a tool to eliminate political rivals such as Bo Xilai.

People reporting any activities may qualify for cash rewards depending upon the level of information they provide. The amount of the rewards is not specified, however the Beijing Daily has reported in the past that Beijing City National Security Bureau was offering US$ 1,500 to US$ 73,000 (£ 1,000 to £ 53,000) for information on spies.