Communist Spies

A Chinese official working in the office of the Vice-Minister of China's Security Ministry has been arrested. 
He is suspected to have spied for the United States. As often in these circumstances, both countries have kept silent.
Another piece of news in Hong Kong's Oriental Daily  on May 28 must immensely worry the Chinese counterintelligence services.
The Chinese daily says that "Ninety Percent of CCP Central Committee Members Have Family Members Overseas".
It quotes from a survey recently conducted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party (and reported by The Dongxiang, another Hong Kong publication), which found that, as of the end of March 2012, 187 (91 percent) of the 204 members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party had family members living or working overseas or maintaining citizenship in other countries. 
The survey included the members' sons and daughters, grandchildren, and siblings. For the 167 alternate Committee members, 142 (85 percent) had relatives who had emigrated overseas. 113 (88 percent) of 127 members of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China had relatives who had emigrated overseas.
Is it not frightening for the Communist orthodoxy that most of the family members of China's bosses have one objective only, to run abroad (mainly to the US) and often settle there?
The Communist Party has a problem, isn't it?
And they know it.
On May 24, 2012, The People’s Daily reported that "China Develops Strategies to Prevent Government Officials from Fleeing Overseas". 
The official mouthpiece of the Party, asserted: "On May 23, 2012, the Chinese Disciplinary Committee held its 3rd joint meeting discussing how to prevent government officials who are in violation of law and discipline from fleeing overseas." It is not said what is the percentage of family members of the Disciplinary Committee living abroad.
The Chinese newspaper continued: "A participant observed that the current situation is rather complicated and the task is huge. The committee issued a directive that government officials be strictly prevented from fleeing overseas. It mandated specific actions including: enhancing the control and administration of certificates and documents for overseas travel; promptly learning the real time situation of both the private overseas travel by government officials and the emigration of their spouses and children; listing officials, along with their spouses and children who have already emigrated overseas, as major targets; striving to establish a very tight and efficient network to prevent them from fleeing."
All this makes it a great fishing ground for the CIA to recruit new agents, close to the Communist power.
But each coin has two sides. It will become more and more difficult for the Western intelligence agencies to control all the new migrants who will slowly insert themselves in the local society and could continue to 'serve' China's interests. 
This is globalization!

China arrests security official on suspicion of U.S. spying
Reuters
June 1, 2012

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Chinese state security official has been arrested on suspicion of spying for the United States, sources said, a case both countries have kept quiet for several months as they strive to prevent a fresh crisis in relations.
The official, an aide to a vice minister in China's security ministry, was arrested and detained early this year on allegations that he had passed information to the United States for several years on China's overseas espionage activities, said three sources, who all have direct knowledge of the matter.
The aide had been recruited by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and provided "political, economic and strategic intelligence", one source said, though it was unclear what level of information he had access to, or whether overseas Chinese spies were compromised by the intelligence he handed over.
The case could represent China's worst known breach of state intelligence in two decades and its revelation follows two other major public embarrassments for Chinese security, both involving U.S. diplomatic missions at a tense time for bilateral ties.
The aide, detained sometime between January and March, worked in the office of a vice-minister in China's Ministry of State Security, the source said. The ministry is in charge of the nation's domestic and overseas intelligence operations.
He had been paid hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars and spoke English, the source added.
"The destruction has been massive," another source said.
The sources all spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of punishment if identified.
China's foreign ministry did not respond immediately to a faxed request for comment sent on Friday.
The sources did not reveal the name of the suspected spy or the vice minister he worked for. The vice minister has been suspended and is being questioned, one of the sources said.
The Ministry of State Security rarely makes public the names of its officials and does not have a public web site.
The incident ranks as the most serious Sino-U.S. spying incident to be made public since 1985 when Yu Qiangsheng, an intelligence official, defected to the United States. Yu told the Americans that a retired CIA analyst had been spying for China. The analyst killed himself in 1986 in a U.S. prison cell, days before he was due to be sentenced to a lengthy jail term.

STRING OF SCANDALS
The vice minister's aide was arrested at around the same time that China's worst political scandal in a generation was unfolding, though the sources s a id the two cases were unrelated.
The political scandal erupted in February when the police chief of Chongqing municipality, in southwest China, took shelter for 24 hours in a U.S. consulate. Chongqing's ambitious Communist Party boss, Bo Xilai, was later suspended after it emerged the police chief had been investigating Bo's wife for murder.
o's wife is now being detained on suspicions that she poisoned a British businessman, Neil Heywood, in a dispute over money.
Washington kept an official silence on that incident, but in late April relations came under even more pressure when blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng escaped from house detention and sought refuge in the U.S. embassy in Beijing.
Chen spent six days in the embassy, sparking a diplomatic crisis that was only resolved when Beijing allowed him to leave the country last month to take up an academic fellowship in New York.
The exposure of the espionage case could put more pressure on the powerful Zhou Yongkang, who formally oversees the state security apparatus as a member of China's top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee.
The Bo and Chen cases have already raised questions over the effectiveness of the security establishment which, under Zhou, has become more costly to maintain than the nation's military.
(Reporting by Reuters China; Editing by Don Durfee and Mark Bendeich)

Forumers and Declassification

The Chinese often do things differently.
Huang Moumou, who inadvertently took a few shots of a military Air Base in Eastern China was arrested and sentenced. That is Protection of State Secret!
Nothing special about this (in China at least)
But when Beijing wants to show its muscle power, 'declassification' photo shots are 'permitted' (read arranged).
The classic example in the sudden 'darshan' of the Jian-20 (J-20) stealth jetfighter on January 11, 2011, the very day that visiting US Defense Secretary Robert Gates was to meet with President Hu Jintao.
On the website wired.com, David Axe commented: "With his simple act, the photographer appeared to outperform the $80-billion-a-year U.S. spy community, which has the advantage of a plethora of drones, satellites, hackers and old-fashioned human spies. The snapshot was the first hard evidence  of China’s very first 'fifth-generation' stealth fighter, the J-20 — and it seemed to come as a surprise to some Pentagon analysts".
There were many photographers, inadvertently roamed around Chengdu airport on that day.
I don't think that DRDO or HAL could have the 'creativity' to do such a thing.
India should perhaps learn from China.  

Chinese “forumers”: Spy Bloggers or activist in propaganda?
Article printed from http://www.china-defense-mashup.com
May 3, 2012
2012-05-03 (China Military News cited from wired.com and by David Axe) -- Three years ago a physically disabled Chinese man unwittingly broke the law when he shot video of a military airbase in eastern China and uploaded the footage to his website. Huang Moumou’s subsequent arrest and conviction for leaking state secrets is a surprising wrinkle in the tale of China’s “accidental spies.” Civilians with cameras are Beijing’s preferred method of revealing military developments to the world. But only, it seems, when the civilians stick to the government’s script.
In August 2009 Huang drove his handicap-access vehicle — presumably a truck with a wheelchair ramp — from his home in an outlying county to visit his son, a worker in Fuzhou. As he passed by the city’s main military airfield, Huang pointed his cameraphone out the window and shot around a minute of video depicting “signage, airport facilities and several military airplanes,” according to the press reports. A pedestrian reportedly warned Huang that filming was illegal, but he kept right on shooting.

Returning home, Huang uploaded the video to his blog. “This is the first time I’ve seen airplanes, so I filmed it,” he wrote, adding, “I’m not a spy!” Fifteen thousand people watched the video before police, alerted by China’s web-monitoring Public Security Bureau, came knocking. On trial last month, Huang pleaded guilty, apologized and was handed a suspended 14-month sentence.

Officially, his crime was violating the Protection of State Secrets Law by videotaping six classified items. There’s little doubt that the Fuzhou air base indeed houses sensitive Chinese hardware: As one of the coastal air bases nearest Taiwan, Fuzhou is home to S-300 long-range air-defense missiles and a wing of F-7 fighters housed in armored shelters. There’s also a nearby army ground station for downloading satellite imagery. But whatever Huang saw, it must not have been that secret — or he probably would have disappeared into a Chinese prison, never to be heard from again.

What’s weird is this: The Chinese People’s Liberation Army often welcomes bloggers with cameras nosing around seemingly secret facilities. Military hardware nerds called “forumers” — after the Internet forums where they post photos, videos and rumors — are the PLA’s main outlet for announcing new weapons developments. The Chinese army is known to tip off bloggers to the locations of new hardware and turn a blind eye to bloggers slipping through security fences. Some bloggers are even on the PLA payroll, receiving 50 cents for every post that reflects the government’s position.
The end result is a propaganda love-fest that builds up that Chinese military’s image at home and abroad. “Military modernization is one of the very few issues in which the central government has near-universal support from the Chinese people and even the overseas Chinese community,” one forumer told me. The unveiling of the J-20, China’s first stealth fighter prototype (depicted above), is a perfect example. Bloggers provided the world the first public images of the new plane in December 2010, drawing crowds to the J-20′s home base in Chengdu and expressions of alarm from U.S. policymakers.
But the blogger army is on a deceptively short leash, as Huang’s case illustrates. It’s one thing to illegally shoot video of a new warplane that Beijing is in fact eager to show the world. It’s quite another to document a facility the PLA would sooner keep under wraps.

Eighteen Long Minutes in China

What about India? We will probably never know, but if they can do it to the Pentagon, the same e-pirates can certainly do it to South Block or the Army Headquarters. 
And 18 minutes is a long, long time.
This is the new form of warfare and the Middle Kingdom is far in advance on its opponents at this game.
To read the US Report, click here.
The Chinese answer is posted on The Global Times.


US Government and Military Websites Redirected to Chinese Servers

ABC News

By JASON RYAN

WASHINGTON, 

Nov. 17, 2010

April Incident Lasted Only 18 Minutes but Could Have Security Impact
U.S. government and military Internet traffic was briefly redirected through computer servers in China earlier this year, according to a report that is to be released by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on Wednesday.
The report says telecommunications companies in China disrupted the Internet for only about 18 minutes -- but they were a big 18 minutes. They "hijacked" about 15 percent of the world's online traffic, affecting NASA, the U.S. Senate, the four branches of the military and the office of the Secretary of Defense.
A draft copy of the report, obtained by ABC News, said, "For about 18 minutes on April 8, 2010, China Telecom advertised erroneous network traffic routes that instructed U.S. and other foreign Internet traffic to travel through Chinese servers."
While the Internet "hijacking" incident was initially reported on in April, it had not been previously disclosed that the U.S. government was affected by the incident. "This incident affected traffic to and from U.S. government (''.gov'') and military (''.mil'') sites, including those for the Senate, the army, the navy, the marine corps, the air force, the office of secretary of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and many others. Certain commercial websites were also affected, such as those for Dell, Yahoo!, Microsoft, and IBM."

Chinese Spies in Dharamsala?

 

The problem might not be with 'Chinese spies' who can relatively easily be spotted in Dharamsala, but with Tibetans on the payroll of the Chinese Government (either for money or other reasons). 
They are plenty of such people in Tibet and it is not difficult to ex-filtrate them to India. In any case, the Chinese embassy is keeping a close tab on the Dalai Lama's activities in India and it is difficult to stop this.
What about the security of the Dalai Lama when he goes outside Dharamsala? It is handled by the respective State Governments with the help of the central agencies, but once again the main threat could come from Tibetans, not Chinese, particularly in the large monasteries in South India.

Tibetan government in exile fears Chinese infiltrations
Hindustan Times
Gaurav Bisht,
Dharamsala,
September 08, 2010
While Tibet's exiled spiritual the Dalai Lama's security remains the centre of concern, the Tibetan-government-in-exile fears "infiltration" of Chinese undercover agents in the hill town that has been nerve centre of Tibetan movement. 
Fearing China could unleash its band of army trained undercover agents in the town, the security wing of Tibetan - government- in- exile cautioned the Indian security and intelligence agencies. Security department in its communication to Crime Investigation Department of state police anticipated Chinese infiltration in Tibetan settlements clustered across India in the garb of monks.
"Necessary steps are being taken in wake of anticipation of Tibetan administration Senior Superintendent of Police, Dr Atul Fulzele confirmed to Hindustan Times, while adding that effective steps have been taken to upgrade security of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Police has asked Ministry of External Affairs to provide funds for installing chemical detector at Dalai Lama's palace. Dalai Lama's has three tier security manned by Himachal Police. Internal security is looked after close protection group of Tibetans.  More than 150 men are deployed for round the clock security of Dalai Lama's palace. 
Tibetan government fears come two months after a Chinese woman was arrested in Mcleodganj for staying without valid travel document.  Chai Sha Hung, convicted for violating foreigners act, was deported back to her home town last month, the police suspected her of being a spy but claims could not be established. 
Sources in Tibetan government-in-exile maintains Chinese intelligence agencies was keeping track about the activities of Tibetan government and Non Government Organization that are at fore front of campaign to secure freedom for China administered Tibet. "Chinese government has become more wary of the Tibetans after protest scattered across Tibet ahead of Beijing Olympics" felt, senior official of Tibetan security.  China had blamed Dalai Lama and his "clique" for orchestrating protest in Tibet that turned violent killing more than 150 people. On being tipped by intelligence agencie, local police arrested a Chinese man in 2008. Intelligence gathering confirmed that arrested Chinese man Liu Xia  had served  Peoples Liberation Army.   Information gathered by Indian intelligence revealed that Liu had visited Dharamsala twice before protest spread in Tibet. 
What came to the surprise of Intelligence agencies was Liu mobile phone details which confirmed that he was in touch with high ranking military official in Lhasa. Xia has reportedly revealed that he had come by road from Lhasa, and later reached Delhi after traveling through Nepal illegally. In the wake of renewed qualms of Tibetan government, local police has stepped up vigil on  Tibetan escapees, although their numbers have decreased drastically  ever since China tightened security on its borders.  According to Tibetan security agencies on and average 2000- 3000 Tibetans crossed into India from Nepal but this year only 200 have arrived in Dharamsala so far. 
"We have sent an advisory to all the Tibetan welfare officer asking them to educate Tibetans about the possible infiltration of Chinese monks " said a Tibetan security official requesting anonymity.  Police have advised Dalai Lama to maintain a particular distance while meeting the new entrants at his palace.  The Dalai Lama routinely meets the Tibetan exiles in his palace. Tibetans government has warned the exiles to remain cautious about the activities being undertaken by followers of Dorje Shugden. Dalai Lama had banned worship of Dorje Shugden. The Dalai Lama identifies Dorje Shugden as a "spirit", and claims that tradition of propitiation associated with Shugden elevates this spirit to being equal or superior to the Buddha. He states that encouraging the worship of Dorje Shugden could contribute to reducing Tibetan Buddhism to a form of superstitious spirit worship. Tibetans exiles say that China was using Shugdens for prpoganda against Dalai Lama.

Chinese spies in Arunachal

A few days ago, Mid-Day reported  that several Chinese spies had entered in Arunachal Pradesh. These spies get an employment visa to work on a hydropower project in Sikkim and then sneak through Assam and Arunachal. It is a very serious matter.
Already in 1962, the Chinese intelligence had got many local Monpas on their side. It explains that the PLA was able to build a road in less than 3 weeks. India should wake up. 
And Mr Jairam Ramesh wants to give the contract for hydropower plants to Chinese companies!!!!


Espionage scare in Arunachal 
The Telegraph
ATONU CHOUDHURRI  
Itanagar, May 25: Spies, masquerading as research scholars, social workers and tourists, are lurking in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh — a fact that was reinforced by the arrest of a suspected Chinese spy in Lohit district on May 18.
“Donning the garb of environmentalists, researchers, social workers often helps them escape the prying eyes of security agencies to carry out espionage activities,” a highly placed source in the security establishment told The Telegraph.
“The arrest of a Chinese national, Guan Liang, 28, from Digaru village of Lohit district last week can open Pandora’s Box, exposing startling facts to add to the discomfiture of security officials. It can be the tip of the iceberg and an eye-opener,” the security official said.
Guan, who admitted to have sneaked into Indian territory through Kibithu, one of the most difficult mountainous paths, indicated in a subsequent interrogation his “espionage” attempts.
Arunachal Pradesh home commissioner, T. Taloh, did not directly deny such instances but said the ministry of home affairs is the ultimate authority to curb movement of suspected persons.
“There may be some instances but I am not authorised to comment on that,” Taloh said today.
The incident may have been a wake-up call for the Centre, but Arunachal Pradesh, which shares a 1,080-km-long border with China, 440km with Myanmar and 160km with Bhutan, is not new to such attempts at espionage.
Another Chinese man was arrested on suspicion of being a spy from Namsai in Lohit in 1999, a police official said.
“Many of them (spies) were debarred from entering India after the ministry of home affairs gathered sufficient proof to establish them as spies,” the official, who did not wish to be quoted, said.
There are instances of “espionage” activities by Americans, British and Tibetans in the state. Lynn Roberts, a US national, who worked as a member of the Inner Asia Conservation, a US-based NGO, came to Itanagar in 1998 for the first time.
Suspected to be a “spy” working for the US, he left Arunachal Pradesh after being chased by sleuths. He was blacklisted by the ministry of home affairs and was debarred from entering the country. But the man then assumed a new name, John Miceler, masqueraded as a researcher and again visited the state in 2005, before being blacklisted again.
In a span of seven years, he visited the state five times after entering Arunachal Pradesh for the first time in 1998 on a tourist visa. But soon he was found guilty of flouting visa norms.
Christopher Roy Jenkins, a Briton, who arrived in Itanagar on the invitation of the Botanical Survey of India in March 2008 to deliver lectures at seminar as a botanist, was also debarred from entering the country in March 2009 after the sleuths found him guilty by tracking his activities.
A Tibetan, Tenzing Kalsang, who worked with Man-Tse-Khang, an astrological and medicinal institute at Itanagar, was blacklisted in 2006 after the officials found his stay “objectionable” from the security point of view.
There was also a report of arrest of a Chinese “spy” from Tawang during the visit of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, last year. The security agencies, however, remained tightlipped about it.

It's not just Jairam Ramesh

My article It's not just Jairam Ramesh is posted on Sify.com. Click here and read...