China bans bloggers from sharing military information

China has introduced new rules restricting the online publication of information about its armed forces. The move could limit monitoring of the world's largest army.

The rules will come into effect on March 1. They come amid reports that China is rapidly expanding and modernizing its military to match the military might of the United States.

The restrictions could have a major impact on Chinese military bloggers and commentators, who are used to sharing images or information about new weapons systems, personnel deployments and troop movements.

^{Photo: Getty Images}
The new rules prohibit the “creation, reproduction, publication and dissemination” of military secrets, national defense technologies, industrial secrets or other classified information.

According to the Chinese government, this is aimed at strengthening national security and protecting state secrets in the face of heightened geopolitical tensions and the activity of foreign intelligence agencies.

The list of prohibited topics includes everything from the development and testing of weapons systems to military exercises, organizational structures, tasks and combat capabilities of military units.

It is not yet known how the new rules will affect foreign media coverage of China's military activities.

"Content on military and defense topics is of great interest to Chinese Internet users, but the leadership is keen to ensure that classified information and speculation do not undermine the official rhetoric about the country's military development and capabilities," said David Bandursky, executive director of the China Media Project.

FT: China is building a command center 10 times larger than the Pentagon

On January 31, news broke that a command center 10 times larger than the headquarters of the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) is being built west of Beijing. The Financial Times cited satellite images and intelligence sources as the source.

Satellite images show a construction site of more than 6 square kilometers, located 30 kilometers southwest of Beijing. The main construction work is expected to begin in mid-2024.

"The construction site has been marked with bunkers that could be used to protect Chinese military leaders in times of war," military experts said.

Although no soldiers were seen at the scene, there were signs warning against drones or photography. Guards at the gate immediately announced that entry was prohibited and refused to discuss the project. One of the leaders leaving the site did not comment. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”