China has officially released new regulations for protecting important military facilities, which took effect on September 15. The “Important Military Facility Protection Regulations” impose strict penalties for unauthorized activities in protected zones, including photography and surveying, with violations potentially resulting in administrative penalties, criminal charges, or punishment by national security agencies for espionage.
According to CCP media outlet Xinhua News Agency, “the State Council and Central Military Commission jointly issued these comprehensive regulations containing 7 chapters and 51 articles. The legislation aims to ensure the safety of critical military facilities, maintain their operational effectiveness, and safeguard normal military research and production activities to strengthen national defense modernization.”
“The regulations clearly define the scope of important military facilities, assign responsibilities to various parties, establish procedures for designating protected zones, and outline protective measures and management obligations. County-level and higher governments must now consider military facility protection requirements when formulating economic and social development plans, while strengthening supervision and comprehensive management.
“Specifically prohibited activities include illegal photography, recording, sketching, surveying, measuring, positioning, or unauthorized use of such materials within protected zones. Violations may result in public security administrative penalties, national security agency punishment for espionage activities, or criminal prosecution depending on severity.
“Chinese authorities have repeatedly warned against photography in militarily sensitive areas. The Ministry of State Security recently cautioned about foreign intelligence personnel entering China under the guise of tourism or visiting relatives, particularly those carrying high-precision surveying equipment near military zones.
“In April, Chinese state media reported the arrest of three Filipino nationals suspected of espionage activities, who allegedly photographed and stored large amounts of military-related classified imagery for Philippine intelligence services.
“However, Chinese nationals have also faced arrests abroad for similar activities, including incidents in the Philippines and South Korea involving suspected military facility photography.”
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), May 27, 2025https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202505270058.aspx