China Targets Illegal Weather Stations in Escalating Spy-Hunting Campaign

China is taking aggressive action against weather stations that it claims are engaged in espionage for foreign nations. This crackdown is a part of a larger effort led by President Xi Jinping to combat espionage amidst increasing geopolitical tensions.

According to the Ministry of State Security, China's civilian intelligence agency, it has identified numerous unauthorized meteorological stations with ties to foreign countries. These stations have been transmitting real-time weather information overseas, violating data regulations and presenting potential threats to national security.

The ministry announced on social media that the facilities were discovered in over 20 provinces, with some receiving funding directly from foreign governments. The spy agency reported that certain stations were strategically positioned near sensitive locations like military bases and defense companies to monitor altitude and GPS information. Additionally, other stations were situated in key grain-producing regions to assess crop development and grain output, as stated by the ministry.

Some of the devices were small, discreet, and effortlessly installed. They possessed the capability to autonomously gather data and transmit it instantaneously over a network. According to the statement, certain stations continuously transmitted real-time information to official meteorological agencies abroad. This transmission occurred at a high frequency and through multiple points over an extended duration. Additionally, the statement mentioned that these stations contributed to the "homeland security" and meteorological observation of foreign nations.

The ministry didn't disclose the specific foreign countries involved. The authorities uncovered this information during their investigation of over 10 agents handling overseas meteorological equipment and inspection of more than 3,000 meteorological stations nationwide that had foreign connections.

According to the spy agency, the foreign parties involved in the activities failed to obtain necessary administrative licenses and did not comply with the requirements of submitting data to Chinese meteorological authorities or gaining approval for transmitting data overseas. As a result, their actions violated China's data security law enacted in 2021, as well as a separate set of regulations governing the collection, use, and sharing of Chinese weather readings by foreign organizations.

The Ministry of State Security emphasized the significance of meteorological data, stating that it plays a crucial role in data security, resource security, military affairs, food security, ecological security, climate change, and public interests. It further highlighted that the unlawful collection and transmission of meteorological data across borders jeopardize China's sovereignty, security, and development interests.

Weather balloons and air quality

The collection of meteorological data by foreign parties has previously sparked controversy with Chinese authorities.

Beijing issued a demand in 2012 for foreign governments to cease the release of data regarding China's air quality, following the US Embassy's documentation of the severe smog in Beijing, which garnered significant attention within China. The Embassy utilized an air sensor on its rooftop to record hourly air quality data, which was then shared on Twitter, subsequently raising public awareness and exerting pressure on Chinese officials to acknowledge the extent of the problem and implement measures to improve air quality.

This recent crackdown on weather stations with foreign affiliations occurs eight months after the United States intercepted a Chinese surveillance balloon that had strayed across the continental US and lingered above sensitive military locations. China argued that it was a "civilian airship used primarily for research, particularly meteorological purposes," and accused the US of reacting excessively.

Since then, both Beijing and Washington have exchanged accusations of espionage, generating a series of high-profile allegations. While the two countries have been engaged in mutual spying for quite some time, the deterioration in their relationship has intensified this rivalry.

In recent months, the Ministry of State Security in China has notably increased its public role in revealing various instances of alleged espionage by the US. They assert to have apprehended several CIA spies and have even disclosed some specific details, which is an unusual move.

The agency, known for its secrecy and its responsibility for intelligence and counterintelligence operations in China and abroad, lacks an official website. However, in an unprecedented move, it recently created a WeChat public account. WeChat is a widely-used social messaging app in China with over 1 billion users. Since its launch, the ministry has been using the platform to consistently remind the public to remain cautious and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

The apparent propaganda blitz comes just weeks after CIA Director William Burns said his agency had "made progress" in rebuilding its spy network in China after suffering major setbacks a decade ago.