China’s primary intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), has advanced significantly to become a dominant force in global intelligence. The MSS’ responsibilities extend beyond national security measures to safeguarding the Chinese Communist Party, and they have developed extensive capabilities for cyber espionage, involvement in suppressive actions, and surveillance, both within China and on an international scale.
Historically in June 2020, a border dispute took place between China and India along their extensive 3,488-kilometer boundary. This event was followed by a significant power outage in Mumbai, India’s renowned metropolis, four months later at 10 in the morning. This blackout disrupted the lives of millions, impeding mobile networks and public transportation, including local train services.
Following an immediate investigation, a preliminary report alluded to the possibility of a cyberattack as the root cause. For many, the finger of blame pointed towards China. There are only a handful of nations globally possessing the capabilities to execute such cyber warfare, and this capacity in China is primarily attributed to its investment in the MSS.
Unlike many of its global counterparts that are often the focus of anxiety and scrutiny, the MSS has managed to maintain a lower profile. Operating discreetly, it has expanded to an impressive size and capacity, scaling up to become the world’s largest intelligence agency. The agency’s headcount varies between estimations, ranging from 350,000 to 800,000. It maintains a presence in over 100 countries worldwide.
Furthermore, the annual budget for the MSS is estimated to surpass $20 billion. Such robust funding has facilitated the MSS’s significant escalation of activity over the past decade. A recent example of their extended reach includes American claims that Chinese researchers were attempting to illicitly bring a particular fungus strain into the United States. These allegations suggest a calculated strategy of leveraging students as agents of infiltration into foreign lands.
Despite getting its hands into multiple operations and having its footprint virtually everywhere, the MSS has managed to remain largely inconspicuous. The expansion of the MSS wasn’t always the norm. It underwent a significant amplification starting from 2012 when Xi Jinping seized control of the country, emphasizing the critical role intelligence and covert operations play in securing the Chinese Communist Party’s reign.
Unlike other national espionage agencies that operate with national priorities, the primary objective of the MSS is to safeguard the Chinese Communist Party. Interestingly, the MSS has progressively broadened its sphere of influence. Reports from February 2024 indicate that China has amassed a significant volume of immigration information from India, accomplished through cyber operations.
Complementary data also insinuate potential involvement of the MSS in a 2018 cyber attack on India’s Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation. The expanding scope of the MSS points towards a consistent pattern of aggressive cyber espionage, with a focus on key infrastructure across the globe.
In 2018, a Chinese national was apprehended in India on charges of money laundering and espionage. Investigations revealed that the suspect had been residing in India since 2014, having entered through Nepal. Astoundingly, he had managed to secure an Aadhaar card, India’s unique identification document, during his stay while executing money laundering activities.
The reach of MSS is not only extensive but also alarmingly penetrative. There are even claims that it has played a role in the destabilization and overthrow of several governments. The organizational structure of the MSS is notably intricate and specialized, with analysts estimating the presence of between 12 to 20 departments housed within it.
The Bureau of Technical Support & Cyber Operations, presumably among the largest of the MSS bureaus, is charged with executing cyber espionage and managing technical operatives attached to Chinese corporations. Today, its operations can be observed globally.
The impact of the MSS is widespread and evident. Society may be currently experiencing what can be called ‘The MSS Era’, where the agency’s influence on worldwide affairs is increasingly significant and undeniable.