China’s Economic Development: The Ministry of State Security, Rule by Law, and Cyberspace

• In Event: China, Geopolitics, and Competition

Abstract

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) stability is linked to national economic success. To meet the expectations of China’s growing population, the CCP must deliver continuous economic growth. Historical precedence suggests that failure to meet these expectations can lead to social unrest, a scenario the CCP wants to avoid. This is especially true in the current economic environment and China’s reliance on an export-driven economy, coupled with a relatively weak innovation sector. This backdrop makes Chinese economic goals more aspirational than achievable. Therefore, the security sector must make up this shortfall and support national economic imperatives. The Ministry of State Security plays a central role in maintaining the CCP's grip on power. Notably, the MSS has been involved in several high-profile cyber espionage activities aimed at fulfilling national economic objectives. This cyber espionage extends to several significant breaches, highlighted by a long-term strategic focus on the United States. The cyber tactics employed by the MSS leverages domestic legislation and support to justify its actions, which are intertwined with China’s economic strategies. Thus, the MSS is central in executing China’s cyber espionage activities, serving as a critical component of its national economic strategy.

Author

• Mark Grzegorzewski, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University