China Warns Officials to Halt Leaks of State Secrets to Media

China’s state secrecy officials issued a stern warning to propaganda departments and classified units on Friday, highlighting concerns over information leaks through news media that could potentially compromise national security.

The National Administration of State Secrets Protection, through its affiliated social media account Baomiguan, called for strengthened confidentiality reviews, particularly when conducting media interviews. The warning comes amid growing concerns about sensitive information being inadvertently disclosed through official channels.

“External forces are closely scrutinizing public information shared on websites and social media platforms of various departments,” the article stated, emphasizing that these platforms, while serving as crucial propaganda outlets, could become unintended sources of intelligence for foreign entities.

The secrecy administration specifically criticized what it described as “lax controls” on news and publicity materials, pointing out that the absence of rigorous confidentiality reviews has led to multiple security breaches. Officials expressed particular concern about propaganda workers who were “blindly pursuing novelty” at the expense of proper security protocols.

According to the warning, some media personnel have prioritized publicity and attention-grabbing content over national security considerations, potentially endangering China’s strategic interests in the process.

This directive reflects the Chinese government’s ongoing efforts to maintain tight control over information flows in an increasingly digital media landscape. Almost every state-run organization in China maintains a dedicated propaganda department responsible for managing public messaging and ensuring alignment with government positions.

The warning comes at a time when China is facing heightened international scrutiny across multiple fronts, including its economic policies, military activities, and domestic governance. The Chinese leadership under President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the importance of information security as a cornerstone of national sovereignty.

China’s state secrets protection framework is notably broad and encompasses a wide range of information categories. Unlike more narrowly defined classification systems in other countries, China’s national security laws allow for flexible interpretation of what constitutes sensitive information, particularly regarding economic data, infrastructure details, and policy deliberations.

Security analysts note that this recent warning may reflect growing concerns about inadvertent intelligence gathering through open-source channels. Modern intelligence operations increasingly rely on piecing together publicly available information rather than traditional espionage methods.

The directive to tighten information controls also aligns with China’s broader push for “cyber sovereignty,” the concept that governments should have greater control over digital content within their borders. In recent years, China has implemented a comprehensive framework of cybersecurity and data protection laws that strengthen state oversight of digital information.

For foreign businesses and organizations operating in China, this renewed emphasis on information security underscores the importance of understanding the country’s complex regulatory landscape around data and communications.

Media experts suggest that this clampdown on information leaks could further constrain reporting on sensitive topics in China, where journalists already navigate significant restrictions. State media outlets, while expanding their global footprint, must balance their international outreach efforts with increasingly stringent domestic security requirements.

As China continues its rise as a global power, the tension between projecting influence through media channels and maintaining tight control over sensitive information remains a significant challenge for Beijing’s leadership.