Russian security service warns of China’s espionage: « The enemy »

In public, the ties between Russia and China have become stronger during the invasion war in Ukraine. A month ago, in connection with the Russian solemnity of the end of the Second World War, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping were seen walking on the Red Square in Moscow and afterwards called Chinese leader Putin « a dear friend ». He has previously described the Chinese-Russian relationship as a « friendship of steel ».

Behind the scenes However, confidence between the countries does not seem to be very great. In an internal document from the Russian security service, FSB, as New York Times Coming over the authority warns that China conducts extensive espionage against Russia.

In the document, which is not dated but which is reported to be written on the end of 2023 or early 2024, China is described as a « serious threat to Russian security ». Beijing is said to spy on Russia’s warfare in Ukraine, among other things to gain knowledge of Western weapons. The security service describes the espionage as a basic work for China to potentially « claim Russian territory, » according to the New York Times.

The Chinese are also accused of spying on Russian companies and intensively trying to recruit spies in the country.

Björn Jerdén is the head of the National Knowledge Center on China at the Foreign Policy Institute. He says there has been information earlier that China has engaged in espionage against Russia.

– Among other things, against Russia’s weapons industry, which has been important for China’s military development, he says.

Of the FSB group, which works with the espionage from Beijing, China is described as the « enemy », reports the New York Times.

In the document as leaked It is described how the country should best work to defend itself against Russians being recruited as Chinese spies. Officials are encouraged, among other things, to hold physical meetings with Russian citizens working close to China. And that these should be warned that China may try to get over sensitive information.

Despite the light -shaded activity, Björn Jerdén believes that the countries have a really strong relationship, but that it rests on common interests and not a common identity.

– There are two countries that do not trust each other and there are no strong intergovernmental relationships between China and Russia, he says.

The Russian intelligence service Adopted a new contrasting program just days before the war in Ukraine broke out, probably because it was believed that China would see its chance to expand its activity when Russian intelligence work focused to a greater extent on Ukraine.

And in the document, FSB notes that China did just that and that Chinese espionage has increased since then, while the public noises between the countries have become increasingly positive.

During the war, the balance of power between Beijing and Moscow has changed to China’s advantage as Russia was increasingly isolated from the Western world, according to Björn Jerdén.

– Russia has had no choice but to resort to China.

For the Russian oil and gas industry, China has become a more important exporting country and when American and European companies have left Russia, Chinese players have filled the void. Diplomatically, the Russian dependence on China has also increased.

– There are signs that China has moved forward the positions and utilized Russia’s weak position, says Björn Jerdén.

For China’s part is that It is important to have Russia on its side in what the state leadership sees as the long -term power struggle with the United States.

– China’s long -term goal is to dismantle the current world order where the United States and the West decide. A world order where democracy is a norm one must relate to and be seen as an existential threat to both China and Russia.

Should Russia lose the war, China sees a risk that a new regime in Moscow may not be as benevolent at all to the Communist Party, says Björn Jerdén.

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