There are also “spiritual rewards to sensitive citizens”
China will reward citizens who share information about national security violations or foreign agents with a reward of at least 100,000 Chinese yuan.
The state-run Legal Daily newspaper reported on Tuesday that the reward was “brought in to motivate the public at a time when threats from foreign intelligence agencies are on the rise.”
An unidentified representative of the Ministry of State Security told the newspaper that the award “aims to mobilize the support and assistance of the people in ensuring national security by mobilizing the strength, wisdom, morale and hearts of the masses.”
According to the value of the confidential information shared, citizens will reportedly be given a cash prize of 10,000 Chinese Yuan to 100,000 Chinese Yuan, as well as “spiritual rewards” such as certificates.
According to the statement, the ministry will give the awards after checking the accuracy of the information shared and whether it is new.
The public can reportedly transmit information about security breaches and foreign agents through phone lines, the website or other channels.
If more than one person shares the same information, the prize will be given to the first person, but other citizens can also be considered for the award.
In China, the public is already closely monitored through the “social credit system,” which was first launched in 2009 through regional trials.
In this system, many comprehensive elements from citizens’ spending habits to social media usage and circles of friends are recorded and entered into the state’s database as “credit scores”.
Those with higher credit scores may have access to better hotels, rental homes, and schools, while citizens with lower credit scores may be prevented from boarding trains and planes. According to official figures, in 2017, 6.15 million people were banned from using such services.
