A Look, From the Inside, at[CCP]Espionage Methods
[MSS] [M]inistry of [S]tate [S]ecurity = [CCP] version of [C_A]
[MPS] [M]inistry of [P]ublic [S]ecurity = [CCP] version of [FBI]
1: Foreigners who actively engage/befriend [M]ainland [C]hinese [A]ssets in their respective countries have a complete [Background Investigation Dossier] compiled on them. These [MCAs] are inconspicuous [moles/infiltrators] = Students, Visiting Scholars, Researchers & Business People.
But innocent Chinese Mainlanders, who are not willingly acting as [assets] for the [CCP] and their contacts/friends in the foreign country, are tracked & investigated also. (Many thousands of Chinese Mainlanders in the west are not willing assets for the [ChiComs] but they and their friends are tracked too.)
2: These [CCP - MSS] background [dossiers] are extensive & complete. (It can be shocking to find out what [they] have compiled on you = family, friends, jobs, coworkers, school & work history & Gov records, ALL your internet "footprint" & social associations.) ([They] seem to have access to almost everything. Think [PLA] hacking.)
3: Before a foreigner ever sets foot in Mainland China they have to apply for a visa. [Beijing] builds a [background dossier] on that foreigner. (see #2) If a foreigner travels to Hong Kong or Taiwan [Beijing] builds a [dossier] on them too. (Threat assessment)
4: (a)If the foreigner is just a tourist on a short trip, with no major Mainland Chinese friendships or ties, the [dossier] is limited. (b)(But ALL foreigners locations & movements are documented & tracked 24/7 on The Mainland.)
5: But if the foreigner has made deep ties with a Mainland Chinese National or Chinese Organization then the [dossier] will be deep & extensive. [They] want to know everything about you if you are going to set foot in Mainland China.
6: If the foreigner moves to Mainland China long-term; The [MSS] & [MPS] know almost everything there is to know about that foreigner. And has him under constant surveillance etc… (see #2 & #4(b))
(next - expat living in Mainland China)