CHINA’S top legislature passed a counterespionage law Saturday aimed at tightening national security.

    Formerly known as the National Security Law, the new version includes rules that have already proven effective in practice.

    The law states that “foreign organizations and individuals who conduct espionage activities or who instigate and sponsor others in conducting them will be punished, as will domestic organizations and individuals who spy on the country for foreign organizations and individuals.”

    It bans illegally possessing espionage instruments, as defined by the national security department, which was added after lawmakers suggested that electronic devices like smart phones can also be used in espionage.

    It also gives security agencies the authority to ask an organization or individual to stop or change activities considered harmful to national security. If they refuse or fail to do so, the agencies will be entitled to seal or seize related properties.

    The agencies are also entitled to seal and seize any device, money, venue, supplies or other property that are related to espionage activities, according to the bill.

    They will be either confiscated by national security agencies or handed over to judicial departments.

    (Xinhua)