The Chinese Communist Party recently announced that the new “Regulations on the Implementation of the Law on the Protection of State Secrets” (referred to as the “Secrecy Regulations”) will take effect on September 1. Compared to the old version, the new regulations have expanded by 64%, including provisions on Party control of secrecy and national secrecy. Experts believe that the CCP’s move serves multiple purposes, aiming to further restrict the public from hearing, seeing, or understanding any information because the current trend indicates that the Communist Party cannot maintain permanent rule, causing fear within the Party.
The new “Secrecy Regulations” were revised and approved at the 35th executive meeting of the State Council of the CCP on June 26, signed by Premier Li Keqiang on July 10, and publicly announced on July 22 to be implemented from September 1. The new regulations consist of 6 chapters, increasing from 45 to 74 articles compared to the 2014 version, marking a 64% increase in the total number of clauses.
Chapter One of the new regulations has expanded from 7 articles to 11. Article 2 emphasizes the Party’s leadership in protecting state secrets, clarifying the leadership functions of central agencies, with local institutions mandated to implement the Party and central authorities’ “secrecy work strategies and major policy measures.”
The introduction of “Party-controlled secrecy” in the new regulations has sparked widespread concern. Vice Executive Director of Taiwan Democracy Foundation, Yan Jianfa, told Epoch Times, “It is like adding another Party mechanism above the government to tighten control,” indicating it is an instinctive act from the top leader who fears losing power.
Yan Jianfa stated that the Party is afraid because the current trend suggests that the Communist Party may not be able to rule permanently. With a changing China where people have a deeper understanding of the outside world and diverse ideologies emerging, the CCP establishes additional barriers to protect its power using “Party-controlled secrecy” to serve the Party and its self-interest.
Former Beijing lawyer and Chairman of the Canadian Alliance for Democracy, Lai Jianping, mentioned that the CCP can deem anything as a state secret to maintain secrecy and operate in private. The lack of transparency benefits authoritarian rule, allowing the CCP to control narratives and maintain a one-party dictatorship.
Furthermore, Lai Jianping highlighted that the CCP fears potential leaks of Party secrets held by individuals. Without strict prevention measures, the Party fears losing control and facing a collapse of its regime.
Liberal legal scholar Yuan Hongbing previously revealed significant cracks within the CCP’s internal system. Many Party officials are now focusing on securing opportunities for their families to move abroad post-retirement.
The introduction of “Party-controlled secrecy” may also become a tool for internal power struggles. Despite negative implications for the country as a whole, the increased control mechanisms could aid those vying for power and benefits, ultimately reinforcing Party management and protecting the privileges of a select few.
The new “Secrecy Regulations” underscore the importance of secrecy work within central agencies. Article 6 in the general provisions specifically emphasizes the need for institutions to strengthen secrecy management capabilities and establish dedicated personnel for safeguarding secrets within central government agencies.
Internal power struggles within the CCP frequently lead to surprising revelations, raising international eyebrows. The sudden downfall of former CCP Foreign Minister Qin Gang, a close ally of Party leader Xi Jinping, left many questioning the motives behind his removal. Speculations ranged from extramarital affairs to power struggles with current top diplomat Wang Yi. The lack of transparency surrounding Qin Gang’s dismissal tarnished the Party’s international image until revelations surfaced during the recent CCP Third Plenum, attributing his resignation to “personal reasons.”
The timing of the CCP’s introduction of “Party-controlled secrecy” raises concerns about Xi Jinping’s stability in power, potentially signaling imminent political purges, as noted by Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Assistant Researcher, Wang Xiuwen.
Lai Jianping remarked that even high-ranking CCP officials can become subjects of state secrecy, shielding their scandals from public scrutiny to protect the Party’s image and legitimacy.
The widespread creation of specialized security departments reminiscent of the Cultural Revolution era signifies the CCP’s intent to tighten control and suppress dissenting voices, ensuring complete Party dominance and one-person rule.
The new “Secrecy Regulations” are designed to support the implementation of the “Law on the Protection of State Secrets,” set to be enforced in May 2024. These regulations empower authorities to classify unclear matters as secrets initially, with the option to inform about non-state secrets without proper identification, and to impose secrecy requirements beyond their jurisdiction.
In the third chapter of the new regulations, related to the secrecy system, the number of articles increased from 10 to 29 compared to the previous version, intensifying measures to prevent leaking of sensitive information within agencies, government entities, and enhancing the management of confidential data flow in internet, technology, and specific industries.
The implementation of the new “Secrecy Regulations” may further deteriorate China’s business environment. Senior Researcher at Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security’s Department of CCP Military and Operational Concepts, Gong Xiangsheng, expressed concerns that more information could be classified as secret, affecting multinational corporations sharing data with their parent companies overseas, and providing the CCP with leverage to accuse them of stealing state secrets.
Wang Xiuwen highlighted that the regulations prioritize the CCP’s interests over everything else, suggesting heightened insecurity within the Party. The legislation obligates all data within China or shared with the CCP, deterring foreign investments due to the risks associated with sharing sensitive business and technological information.
Apart from the impending “Secrecy Regulations,” the CCP previously enacted laws such as the “Anti-Espionage Law” and the “Data Security Law,” fueling unease among foreign entities and leading to continuous withdrawals.
A new addition in the first chapter of the “Secrecy Regulations” lists the initiatives rewarded by the CCP, including reporting or rectifying leaks or illegal acquisition of state secrets, and promptly addressing any potential secrecy breaches observed in others.
Yan Jianfa believes that the CCP’s lack of confidence prompts them to enforce tighter controls, as they anticipate turmoil flowing from public dissent. This cycle of governance involves creating chaos to tighten control and ultimately leading to stagnation or downfall.