The number of cases involving foreign institutions and individuals conducting illegal surveying and mapping in China has been on the rise in recent years, according to the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping (SBSM).

In the first six months of this year, local authorities have handled five cases. They are investigating five others in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shanghai Municipality, and Jiangxi and Jiangsu provinces.

SBSM said most of these foreigners came into the country under the disguise of scientists, tourists, expedition leaders, and archaeologists.

These foreign nationals carried out their illegal surveying and mapping with advanced techniques and equipment. They obtained much precise information and data regarding coordinates, topography and geography, all of which may threaten China's state security, according to the official.

Currently, surveying and mapping authorities of different levels have stepped up their efforts to crack down on these kinds of illegal activities, in collaboration with state security and secrecy departments.

According to previous reports, last April, two Japanese scholars were caught red handed while mapping the coordinates of an airport and water facilities in Hotan of Xinjiang. Later the two foreigners paid a fine of 80,000 yuan (about US$10,250).

In other cases, three Japanese were fined 40,000 yuan (about US$5,260) in the first half of this year for illegal surveying inside Shanghai Municipality and Jiangxi Province. The SBSM confiscated their surveying equipment and records.

Last year, the Ministry of Land and Resources issued a statute to prohibit foreigners from conducting land surveying, aerial photography, mapping of administrative borders, and drawing navigational maps.

According to the regulations, foreign institutions and individuals intending to engage in surveying and mapping in China must obtain official approval from the central government. Local governments are then responsible for supervision over their activities.

China's Law on Surveying and Mapping states that foreigners who want to do surveying and mapping in the country must work together with a local partner. Their activities must not involve state secrets or jeopardize national security. All the results of foreigner parties surveying and mapping belong to China. They must not be brought and transmitted abroad without official permission by Chinese authorities, according to the law.

Foreigners who have illegally surveyed, collected and published geographical information on China will be severely punished according to law.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2007)