State Security Police
| People's Police of State Security Organs 国家安全机关人民警察 Guójiā Ānquán Jīguān Rénmín Jǐngchá | |
|---|---|
 Patch of the State Security Police | |
 Flag of the People's Police | |
| Common name | State Security Police |
| Abbreviation | SSP |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1983 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | China |
| Operations jurisdiction | China |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Beijing, China |
| Elected officer responsible | |
| Parent agency | Ministry of State Security |
The People's Police of State Security Organs[a], informally known as the State Security Police (SSP)[b] is the secret police component of China's Ministry of State Security (MSS). Though branded with the People's Police name, the State Security Police are operated entirely separately by intelligence officers of the MSS. The organization is concerned with internal security matters related to the hidden front, particularly counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and counter-sabotage efforts.[1]
Established in 1983, the SSP has a presence in every province, autonomous region, and direct-administered municipality in China, as well as an increased presence in coastal areas and some municipalities with heavy contact with foreign countries.[2] The SSP is also reportedly tasked with the security of overseas projects of the One Belt One Road Initiative. Those arrested by the State Security Police are subject to extrajudicial court proceedings conducted by the MSS itself, and may find themselves jailed in the Beijing State Security Bureau Detention Center, a special purpose prison operated by the Beijing branch of the MSS.[3][4]
The SSP should not be confused with the Political Security Bureau (1st Bureau) of the Ministry of Public Security, despite sometimes similar duties and overlapping missions.
References
[edit]- ^ Scoggins, Suzanne E. (2018-10-23). "Policing Modern China". China Law and Society Review. 3 (2): 16.
Finally, the state security police are administered by the Ministry of State Security and charged with preventing foreign espionage, sabotage, and conspiracies (Ma 1997, 117). Though all carry the name of police, none are governed by MPS.
- ^ Wang, Xiaohai (2015). "Key Themes of Policing". Empowerment on Chinese Police Force's Role in Social Service. Springer. p. 43. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-45614-9. ISBN 978-3-662-45613-2. LCCN 2015937180.
- ^ Mohamed (2024-03-05). "Declassified Intelligence as a Foreign Policy Tool in Great Power Competition". The Soufan Center. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
- ^ Magro, Charmice. China Police System (Thesis). Cavite State University. p. 8.
Notes
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