Chinese Vendor Imprisoned and Scientist Executed Amidst Espionage Crackdown: A Deep Dive into China’s Railway Data Leak and Spying Allegations

Chinese supplier imprisoned for distributing train information to international entities: National Security Agency

Agency reports that the Chinese firm was lured by a profitable agreement to collect data, which was subsequently classified as 'intelligence information'

Time: 05

China executed a scientist in 2016 for espionage, as disclosed in a documentary that highlighted 10 startling cases.

A Chinese IT firm, which remains unnamed, secured a business agreement in late 2020 to gather electronic signal data across China's extensive railway networks. This contract was awarded by a foreign entity that previously specialized in market research before transitioning into the Chinese railway sector to offer technical support services.

The ministry reported that the international firm, hindered by Beijing's Covid limitations from deploying its staff to China, delegated tasks to local Chinese suppliers. It was also revealed that this foreign entity served a diverse client base, encompassing foreign intelligence bodies, defense and military sectors, as well as governmental agencies.

The report indicates that the Chinese firm understood the potential hidden agendas of the international company. Despite this, lured by the promise of a profitable deal, it proceeded to purchase and set up the equipment as per the specifications of the overseas company's contract. Additionally, it gathered data at predetermined sites and carried out mobile testing and data collection across various cities and along high-speed railway tracks, fulfilling the requirements of the international client.

The department reported that the initiative amassed 500 gigabytes of data over a month, encompassing information from Internet of Things signals, mobile and railway communications, and secure networks.