China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Monday issued regulations on espionage prevention work in necessary administrative organs, related social organizations, enterprises and institutions to clarify the responsibilities of the entity to prevent and counter espionage risks.

The regulations take effect upon promulgation and it says that the ministry is formulating the list of key anti-espionage security units together with relevant departments, and once the list is finished, it will inform the units in written form and the list will be regularly adjusted.

Once the entity is listed as a key anti-espionage unit, the MSS can provide guidance to the unit on anti-espionage precautions by providing work manuals, guidelines and other educating materials, distributing written guidance opinions, holding training, taking meetings and advising, etc.

The provisions also said that for units that fail to implement their anti-espionage responsibilities, the MSS is authorized to require them to rectify the problems within a time limit or summon relevant persons for a face-to-face meeting in accordance with the law, urging the units to enhance security measures and release timely updates of its progress to correct the situation.

For those units that caused adverse consequences, the MSS will transfer clues to relevant security organs and suggest them to deal with. If the case constitutes a crime, the offender will be investigated for criminal responsibility according to laws.

The regulations on Monday are formulated to ensure specific duties of various authorities and entities in preventing espionage activities and to enhance the whole society's awareness of state security.