China website to check ‘insult’ of armed forces

BEIJING: China has launched a website where citizens can report any leaks of military information or news reports that “insult” the armed forces or target the Communist Party (CPC) leadership.

The central military commission, which commands and controls the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), announced the launch of the website over the weekend, urging citizens to provide information either anonymously or by using their real names.

“Illicit behaviour includes falsifying a military unit or membership, publishing information that is harmful or insulting to the military, attacking the CPC leadership over the PLA, and using online accounts without approval or revealing a soldier’s personal identity,” the PLA Daily reported.

The reporting website is in tune with the “clean cyberspace” objectives underlined at last month’s 19th CPC congress.

Citizens have been urged to focus on news reports that share “illicit” information.

“Military information is most often leaked through news reports on research and meetings because of improper screening,” Li Daguang, a professor at the PLA’s National Defence University, told the state media.

China has earlier arrested journalists for leaking “state secrets”.

The CMC also wants citizens to look out for civilians who pose as military officers.