Chinanews, Beijing, Apr. 28 – Mapping work is closely related with China's national security. In future, China will strictly monitor foreigners' mapping activities in China, said Li Weisen, deputy director-general and spokesman of the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, on Friday.

 

In the seventh clause of the national surveying regulation, China specifies that it allows foreigners to carry out surveying activities in China in only two forms. One is that foreigners should conduct surveying activities in cooperation with a domestic institution. The two should jointly apply to get approval from the State Council and the approval of related surveying department in the army. Only after these administrative institutions have issued certificates will foreigners be able to do measuring work in the permitted areas. Second, when foreign science researchers undertake some cooperative program with some Chinese institutions, foreign researchers might find it necessary to do some measuring work in their program. In this situation, researchers should report every step of their mapping request to Chinese government before they can start the mapping work. Any other mapping activities by foreigners other than these two forms are strictly forbidden in China, Li said.

 

He said that in recent years, there were several cases when some foreigners carried out illegal mapping activities in China. Days ago, four Japanese engaged in mapping activities in Aibi Lake district in Xinjiang. The Xinjiang Mapping and Surveying Bureau meted out punishments to them for their acts in line with related Chinese laws.

 

The reason why mapping work is closely related with China's national security is because many of the data gathered through mapping are confidential. China should always remain highly alert to such activities and in future, China will strengthen its monitoring efforts in this aspect, Li said.