The number of overseas organizations and individuals conducting
illegal surveys in China is increasing, threatening to reveal State
secrets and jeopardizing national security, Beijing-based
Global Times reported yesterday.
The newspaper warned many Chinese mistakenly believe that
geographic information is not secret because satellites are
commonly used to gather such information.
But unidentified experts were quoted as saying that coordinates,
topography and geologic information of key areas and core
facilities are still top secret.
Once acquired by other countries, the information could be used
to attack wartime targets, the experts warned.
In recent years, overseas organizations have used the prevailing
thinking to conduct illegal surveys.
Some have directly asked for geographic information, taking
advantage of local governments' eagerness to attract foreign
investment. Others are using the cover of setting up joint ventures
and cooperative projects.
In April and May, two Taiwanese were prosecuted for drawing
highly classified maps of the Chinese mainland, which they sold
overseas.
Investigation showed they had been opening joint ventures in
mainland cities since 2000 to "develop and promote Global
Positioning System (GPS) products used on vehicles".
In each city, they collected local electronic maps, and
conducted field surveys in areas of interest. The maps they drew
included a large amount of top-secret information about public
security facilities, economic lifelines and military
facilities.
In another case, a foreign map company with strong government
connections was found to have illegally surveyed 56 cities in 10
provinces. The surveys were conducted through a joint venture set
up in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province.
The joint venture's survey team was caught in May 2004 when it
entered a military area in coastal Shandong Province. Later
investigation found the company's survey team had previously broken
into military areas in Shanghai and Fujian Province.
Their surveys included accurate positioning of Chinese armies
and detailed information on communication facilities in East and
South China.
The report added that some foreign diplomats are also involved
in unlawful surveys.
In April, a foreign diplomat with military background, who was
originally from Taiwan, was caught carrying out illegal surveys in
Guizhou Province in Southwest China. The supposed purpose was in
support of a local AIDS control and prevention project.
(China Daily July 18, 2007)