National security law

China proposes law to codify investigations of foreigners

China’s intelligence agencies would have stronger powers to monitor and investigate foreigners in the country and Chinese citizens everywhere under a newly proposed law codifying the work of Beijing’s vast security apparatus.

The government under President Xi Jinping over the past several years has sought to expand and provide legal foundations for intelligence agency powers in the name of national security and combating terrorism.

The moves have sparked concern from the U.S. government and human rights groups that say the new powers could be used to suppress political dissent, silence foreign organizations working in China and force technology companies to give the Communist Party access to sensitive information.

A coalition of business groups from Japan, Britain, the U.S. and other countries this week appealed to China to postpone a newly adopted cybersecurity law. They warned it could violate Beijing’s free-trade commitments. Chinese officials maintain tighter data controls are needed to prevent terrorism and anti-government activity.