‘Two sessions’ 2024: China’s revision of defence education law aimed at promoting patriotism and support for military

A minor revision was made in 2018 to change the wording of an article.

Proposals relating to the amendment have not been released. But alterations could include adding the definition of “defence education” and details absent in the current statute.

China spy agency renews foreign cyber intelligence warning after data breaches

Beijing has urged the public to support national defence in its tone-setting government work report this year, a call that did not appear in the report last year.

Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday said the government would provide support to “consolidate the unity between the military and the government, and between the military and the people”.

He also stressed the need to raise public awareness about national defence while strengthening defence capabilities and readiness.

China has pledged to transform the People’s Liberation Army into a “world class” force on par with the American military by 2049.

But growing friction with the United States and China’s neighbouring countries concerning nearby waters has prompted Beijing to speed up military development.

On national security, Zhao also signalled there will be progress for the pending amendment of the Cybersecurity Law, which governs the storage and transfer of personal information and important data by network operators.

The country’s internet watchdog proposed to expand the severity and scope of penalties for data protection violations in 2022, five years after the adoption of the law. But the proposal is yet to be deliberated and passed by the NPCSC.

The suggestions came as Beijing tightened data security measures and reformed cyberspace regulation, as it perceives higher espionage risks from the US and its allies amid heightened geopolitical tensions, as well as widespread abuse and leaks of personal data.

China also amended the Counterespionage Law last year, which listed cyberattacks by a “spying entity or its surrogate” as an act of espionage.