Assessing Western perspectives on Chinese Intelligence

Presents a summary of the conventional view by Western analysts on Chinese espionage; points to flaws on such views. Argues that Chinese intelligence methods are in fact similar to those of Western powers; such as recruiting foreign intelligence agents, e.g. by using coercion or extortion, or deploying professional Chinese agents. Shows a series of events (case studies) related to Chinese intelligence and espionage. Analyzes the difference between purely economic espionage by non-state Chinese actors and Beijing-supported espionage pursuing policy goals; the former is considered less structured and wider in scope, such as “thousand grains of sand” or “vacuum-cleaner” (getting as much information as possible, even though each data point by itself could seem menial), while the latter has a more narrow scope and is more oriented toward supporting the Chinese Communist Party’s goals. Includes a historical perspective of the intelligence services in China with political and international context (White Terror, Chinese Communist Party or CCP, Kuomitang or KMT, the Chinese civil war). Provides an overview and examples of methods used by China for collecting intelligence.