Key practical points:
• It criminalizes espionage and obtaining or leaking state secrets or 'national-security-related data' to foreign entities.
• After amendment the definition is broader and can cover data and documents that may not look obviously 'secret'.
• Photographing or gathering information in military/sensitive areas or facilities may be an offense.
• Individuals and companies may be required to cooperate with state security during an investigation.
• Foreigners are not exempt; exercise caution with sensitive data, maps and government facilities.
• When in doubt about a piece of information or an area, it is safer to avoid photographing or collecting it and to ask.
🚔 Criminal
Counter-Espionage Law · Yalla China
中华人民共和国反间谍法 / Counter-Espionage Law
Enacted: 2014-11-01 ✅ Effective: 2023-07-01
📝 Overview
A law criminalizing espionage and leaking state secrets, with a broadened scope after amendment.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
This is a sensitive law worth knowing as a foreigner: the definition of espionage and sensitive data became broad after amendment. A safe practical rule: avoid photographing military, government or border facilities, and be very careful collecting or transferring data that could be seen as national-security related. If unsure, do not do it. General orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
npc.gov.cn / Ministry of State Security
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026