Ministry of State Security
The Ministry of State Security (MSS) is China’s primary intelligence and counter-espionage agency, responsible for collecting intelligence both domestically and internationally, as well as conducting counter-espionage operations.
While the internal operations of MSS are largely undisclosed, historical cases and government reports provide some insight into its functions. MSS carries out tasks such as counter-espionage operations, national security investigations, and foreign intelligence collection. In 2020, the Australian government publicly accused the MSS of orchestrating interference in its political system, indicating that the MSS’s activities have attracted international attention.
Regarding technology application, the MSS has continuously strengthened its capabilities in cybersecurity and big data analysis in recent years. According to public reports from 2022, China significantly increased its investment in cybersecurity, with some resources allocated to intelligence and security departments to enhance their information processing and analysis capabilities. Although specific data is not detailed, there are indications that the MSS’s strength in information technology continues to grow.
Internal Military Intelligence Organizations of the PLA
The intelligence system of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is a crucial part of its national defense strategy, primarily led by the Intelligence Bureau of the General Staff Department (commonly referred to as the Second Department), which is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating defense-related intelligence.
In 2021, China successfully launched its 55th BeiDou satellite, further enhancing its global positioning and intelligence collection capabilities.According to public analysis, the PLA established the Strategic Support Force (SSF) in 2015, which includes departments responsible for cyber warfare and information warfare. In terms of international cooperation, the PLA has shared intelligence information with the Pakistani military during joint exercises, reflecting China’s increasing involvement in intelligence sharing within regional military cooperation.
The Role of the United Front Work Department
The United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is a significant non-military institution, primarily tasked with uniting various democratic parties, ethnic and religious groups, as well as overseas Chinese communities, to promote the work of the united front.
Although the UFWD does not directly engage in traditional intelligence work, it plays an important role in China’s domestic and foreign policies.
The UFWD establishes connections with Chinese communities, academic institutions, and religious organizations both domestically and abroad to advance China’s national interests. The UFWD also maintains close relationships with various social groups and enterprises to promote China’s economic and cultural influence. According to public sources, the UFWD has also played a role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, enhancing China’s influence in participating countries through cultural exchanges and economic cooperation.
Domestically, the UFWD is responsible for communicating with various democratic parties, non-affiliated individuals, and ethnic minority groups, ensuring they align with the Party’s policies. During the 2022 National People’s Congress of China, the UFWD actively coordinated among various groups to promote the implementation of national policies. The UFWD also plays a key role in managing religious affairs. According to the “Regulations on Religious Affairs in China,” the UFWD promotes religious harmony and social stability through coordination mechanisms between religious groups and the government. In regions like Tibet and Xinjiang, the UFWD strengthens ties with local religious leaders to promote social stability and development.
Overlaps and Coordination Between Different Agencies
Within China’s complex national security and intelligence system, multiple agencies may have overlapping functions, primarily involving the Ministry of State Security (MSS), the PLA’s intelligence departments, the United Front Work Department (UFWD), and the Ministry of Public Security.
The MSS and the PLA’s intelligence departments may have overlapping functions in certain areas. The MSS’s responsibilities for overseas intelligence collection and counter-espionage tasks are somewhat similar to those of the PLA’s Intelligence Bureau, especially in acquiring military and technical intelligence. This overlap is not uncommon, but to avoid resource waste and task conflicts, these two agencies typically coordinate through clear division of labor and information-sharing mechanisms. In major national security events, these agencies may coordinate through the Central National Security Commission to ensure consistent actions and information sharing.
The activities of the UFWD may also intersect with those of other intelligence and security agencies, particularly in the realms of external influence and social management. The UFWD primarily focuses on expanding China’s global influence through soft power, a function that overlaps with some of the MSS’s overseas tasks. The UFWD may promote national interests abroad through cultural exchanges and economic cooperation, efforts that sometimes need to be coordinated with the MSS’s intelligence collection work.
The Ministry of Public Security’s functions in domestic security and counterterrorism may overlap with those of the MSS and the PLA’s intelligence departments. When dealing with domestic terrorist threats, both the Ministry of Public Security and MSS are involved in intelligence collection and analysis, while the PLA might intervene in military operations. To avoid conflicts during operations, these agencies usually coordinate through joint command centers or the Central National Security Commission. In handling major domestic terrorist incidents, the Ministry of Public Security and MSS jointly formulate action plans, which are executed with the cooperation of the PLA.
For these overlapping functions, the central government ensures coordination between agencies through various mechanisms. The Central National Security Commission is the highest-level coordinating body, responsible for formulating strategic guidelines in the field of national security and allocating tasks and resources among departments.