China has imposed stringent measures, prohibiting military enthusiasts from sharing photos or information related to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on social media platforms. This ban comes as part of efforts to safeguard national security, curtailing the dissemination of sensitive defense details online.
In a WeChat post titled “This is a cool hobby, but you must be very careful,” the China Ministry of State Security highlighted the grave concerns surrounding the unauthorized acquisition and online sharing of national defense-related information by individual military enthusiasts. These enthusiasts, often referred to as “military fans,” have previously shared photos of military assets, including ships and aircraft, captured from outside PLA installations or during commercial flights near sensitive zones.
The ministry outlined the activities that pose a threat to national security, citing instances where enthusiasts clandestinely photographed military airports, ports, and defense-related industrial units using telephoto lenses or drones while traveling along designated routes.
According to the report published in CNN, repeat offenders could face severe consequences, including imprisonment for up to seven years. However, first-time or occasional offenders may receive warnings.
The WeChat post emphasized that such online disclosures pose risks by revealing critical details about China’s military hardware, compromising security in operational and technical aspects. Details exposed in these posts include progress on construction, operational features, and technical specifics of military equipment, raising concerns about potential security breaches.
One prominent subject of such online sharing has been China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, currently undergoing fitting at a Shanghai shipyard. Enthusiasts have frequently shared images of the carrier, situated along flight paths of Pudong Shanghai International Airport, where the vessel’s advanced electromagnetic catapult system has been undergoing testing since November.
This ban signifies China’s firm stance on safeguarding sensitive defense information and comes amid the country’s rapid modernization of its armed forces. The move underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding national security matters and reflects the government’s efforts to prevent the unauthorized dissemination of defense-related details on social media platforms.
Sources By Agencies
