Possible Shake-Up in Chinese State Security

A Chinese state security official was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of spying for the United States, Reuters reported June 1, citing Chinese sources claiming direct knowledge of the arrest. According to the report, an aide to a vice minister in China's primary foreign intelligence organization, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), was detained on allegations that he had passed information to the United States for several years after being recruited by the CIA.

China's intelligence operations abroad and at home remain extremely large, and given the sheer number of agents — official, witting or otherwise — it is not unusual to see some caught, some turned and numerous operations to counter the Chinese actions. But if the recent reports prove accurate and there was a major breach of the MSS, it will inevitably lead to a shake-up of the MSS and a reassessment of much of the organization and personnel, which is necessary but distracting and time consuming. It can also expose political competition and personality rifts within Chinese intelligence. All of this comes as the Chinese leadership is already dealing with the Bo Xilai scandal amid the sensitive preparation for a generational leadership transition.