On August 25, 2014, the 12th National People’s Congress Standing Committee in Beijing held its 10th meeting. A bill was submitted for a first reading at the bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress proposing to change the name of the National Security Law to the Counterespionage Law. The main purpose of the current law is to regulate the work of the country’s national security agencies, whose major duty is counterespionage work.
“According to the proposed changes, foreign organizations and individuals conducting espionage activities, or who instigate and sponsor others to do so, will be punished, as will domestic organizations and individuals who spy on the country for foreign organizations and individuals.” “The bill will give national security agencies the authority to ask an organization or individual to stop or change those activities that are considered harmful to national security. If they refuse or fail to do so, the agencies will be authorized to seal and seize related property” or to arrest them so they will be subject to legal punishment.
Source: People’s Daily and people.com.cn/, August 26, 2014
http://world.people.com.cn/n/2014/0826/c1002-25538612.html