Chinese military base bans cars with data recorders

A military base in China has banned cars equipped with event data recorders from entering its premises as an anti-espionage precaution, the media reported on Tuesday.

According to the People's Liberation Army (PLA), event data recorders can record sensitive information, such as military activities and the lay of the land in and around military areas, which could lead to leaks of important intelligence, the Global Times reported.

Media outlets have recently reported on a number of anti-espionage cases involving both military personnel and ordinary people.

"Espionage activities have become increasingly active in China in recent years as the nation sees a growing global influence," Li Wei, an expert at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said.

Apart from military servicemen and government employees, overseas espionage organisations have been targeting ordinary Chinese citizens to help collect inside information, Li added.

Hainan and Jilin provinces have launched anti-espionage hotlines, through which people can report suspected espionage.

Advanced technologies have also facilitated frequent espionage activities recently, experts warned.

China passed a counter-espionage law in 2014 aimed at tightening state security.