China Dismisses False Claims of Phone Checks for All Arrivals

Chinese authorities refuted allegations that all arrivals in the country will face mobile phone checks starting July 1. The Ministry of State Security clarified that these claims are false and are being propagated by anti-China forces. The new regulations specifically target counter-espionage activities, not all travelers.

Assertions that all arrivals in China will face mobile telephone checks from July 1 are false, authorities said on Tuesday, dismissing them as distortions of the truth made by "anti-China forces". On April 26, the state security ministry issued documents it said broadened the reach of law enforcement regulations and helped combat illegal activities that risk national security.

"However, some hostile overseas anti-China forces have seized on the opportunity to distort the truth by making scandalous and false allegations," the ministry said in a statement on its public Wechat account. In particular, it dismissed as "absolutely preposterous" a claim that all arrivals would undergo phone checks upon entry.

The new national security rule drew wide public attention and positive feedback, it said, adding that the newly amended counterespionage law sets specific regulations on lawful inspection of electronic equipment and facilities. Targets of such inspection must be "individuals or organisations related to counter-espionage work, such as suspected spies who take pictures or videos in military restricted areas or classified units," the ministry said.

The incident comes after Chinese lawmakers expanded a state secrets law this year, for the first time since 2010, widening the scope of restricted sensitive information to include what were described as "work secrets".