Provisions on the Procedures for Administrative Law Enforcement of State Security Organs and Provisions on the Procedures for Criminal Case Administration of State Security Organs issued recently by China’s Ministry of State Security will be duly enacted and come into force on the 1st day of July, 2024. After the provisions were issued, there were comments that “all people will undergo phone checks when they enter China border”. On May 28, China's Ministry of State Security posted an article on related matters, which reads in part as follows.

国家安全部最近发布的《国家安全机关行政执法程序规定》和《国家安全机关刑事案件管辖规定》将于2024年7月1日正式颁布并实施。这些规定发布后，有人评论称“所有人在进入中国边境时都将接受手机检查”。5月28日，中国国家安全部发布了一篇相关文章，部分内容如下：

Official Response

官方回应

China is a country under the rule of law, which stringently protects the citizens’ freedom and privacy of communication. The China’s Constitution and laws explicitly stipulate that no organization or individual may infringe upon citizens’ freedom and privacy of communication for any reason except for due legal reasons or procedures. This fully demonstrates the balance between safeguarding national security and ensuring individual rights.中国是法治国家，对公民的通信自由和通信秘密保护十分严格。《中华人民共和国宪法》和《中华人民共和国电信条例》明确规定，除因国家安全或者追查刑事犯罪的需要，由公安机关、国家安全机关或者检察机关依照法律规定的程序对通信进行检查外，任何组织或者个人不得以任何理由侵犯公民的通信自由和通信秘密。这充分体现了在维护国家安全与保障公民权利之间的平衡。In recent years, national security organs have been steadfastly implementing the strategic plan of the CPC Central Committee to comprehensively advance law-based governance by actively participating in the construction of a national security legal system with Chinese characteristics, and promoting the practical, professional, and standardized construction of national security legal work. Counterespionage Law of the People's Republic of China and Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, as the upper-level laws of two departmental regulations, respectively make authorized provisions for the administrative law enforcement and criminal investigation powers of the national security organs.近年来，国家安全机关坚决贯彻党中央全面依法治国战略部署，积极参与构建中国特色国家安全法律制度体系，推进国家安全法律工作专业化、实战化、规范化建设。《中华人民共和国反间谍法》《中华人民共和国刑事诉讼法》作为两部部门规章的上位法，分别对国家安全机关行政执法权、刑事侦查权作出授权性规定。As an important basis for the national security organs to regulate law enforcement and judicial activities, the two departmental regulations elaborate the powers and functions of the national security organs strictly within the scope of the authority conferred by the upper-case legislation. They establish clear and stringent standards for all law enforcement powers, embodying an integrated approach to combating illegal activities while prioritizing the protection of human rights, and ensuring a balance between the exercise of law enforcement powers with the safeguarding of legitimate rights and interests.

作为国家安全机关规范执法司法活动的重要依据，两部部门规章严格在上位法授权范围内，对国家安全机关的职权进行了细化，为各项执法权力设定了明确、严格的规范，体现了打击非法活动与保护人权并重的综合执法理念，确保了执法权力行使与保障合法权益之间的平衡。

Inspection Clearly Specified in Law

法律中明确规定检查

Espionage activities pose a serious threat to national security, and all countries have adopted legislation to combat them. In order to effectively prevent, stop, and punish espionage-related crimes, the newly amended Counterespionage Law of the People's Republic of China provides specific regulations on the lawful inspection of electronic equipment and facilities by state security organs in accordance with relevant provisions of the Constitution.

间谍活动对国家安全构成严重威胁，各国都通过立法来打击间谍活动。为有效防范、制止和惩治间谍行为，新修订的《中华人民共和国反间谍法》明确规定，国家安全机关可以根据宪法有关规定对电子设备和设施依法进行检查。Clearly specified inspection prerequisites: Inspections must be carried out as part of lawful counter-espionage tasks. National security personnel cannot conduct inspections arbitrarily or privately in situations unrelated to counter-espionage work.明确规定的检查前提条件：检查必须作为合法的反间谍任务的一部分进行。国家安全人员不能在与反间谍工作无关的情况下随意或私自进行检查。Clearly specified inspection targets: They must be individuals or organizations related to counter-espionage work, such as suspected spies who take pictures or videos in military restricted areas or classified units. Inspected subjects cannot be unrelated individuals, let alone average incoming persons.检查目标明确具体：必须是与反间谍工作有关的个人或组织，比如在军事禁区、军事管理区或者涉密单位拍照、录像的可疑间谍人员，而不能是不相关的人员，更不能是普通的入境人员。Clearly specified inspection procedures: Approval for inspection must be obtained from the head of a national security organs at the municipal level or above. Law enforcement documents must be presented, and either the person being inspected or a witness must be present. If any national security risks are found, the responsible party must be ordered to rectify them. If rectification is not possible or refused, the facility may be sealed or detained in accordance with the law. It is particularly stipulated that in emergency situations where immediate inspection is necessary, approval must still be obtained from the head of a national security organ at the municipal level or higher. This requirement is more stringent compared to the general practice outlined in the Administrative Compulsion Law of the People's Republic of China, which typically permits immediate action followed by subsequent approval. This demonstrates adherence to the rule of law and the responsible exercise of authority.明确规定的检查程序：检查必须获得市级或以上国家安全机关负责人的批准。执法时必须出示相关文件，被检查人或者见证人必须在场。如果发现任何国家安全风险，必须责令责任方进行整改。如果无法进行整改或拒绝整改，可以根据法律对该设施进行查封或扣留。特别规定，在紧急情况下需要立即进行检查时，仍需获得市级或更高层级国家安全机关负责人的批准。这一要求相比《中华人民共和国行政强制法》中通常允许先行动后审批的一般做法更为严格，体现了依法办事和负责任行使权力的原则。The national security organs have consistently adhered to the Constitution and laws, upheld the principle of "acting in accordance with the law and refraining from unauthorized actions", and insisted on standardized, fair, and civilized law enforcement practices. At the same time, the national security organs will strictly implement the law enforcement supervision system and strengthen the law enforcement supervision mechanism. Supervision from people of all sectors of society over the national security organs and their personnel is welcomed so as to ensure that national sovereignty, security, and development interests are always safeguarded with the rule of law.

国家安全机关始终坚持宪法和法律，坚持“依法办事、不越权”的原则，坚持规范化、公正、文明的执法实践。同时，国家安全机关将严格执行执法监督制度，加强执法监督机制。欢迎社会各界对国家安全机关及其人员进行监督，以确保国家主权、安全和发展利益始终得到法治的保障。