A Chinese diplomat stationed in Japan suspected of engaging in ‘spying’ case

2012-05-30 (China Military News cited from Asia News Network and by Yomiuri Shimbun) — A Chinese diplomat stationed in Tokyo is suspected of engaging in espionage activities in Japan, according to sources.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Security Bureau suspects that the first secretary at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo was engaged in espionage activities as he was attached to an intelligence division of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Investigative authorities are planning to build a case by questioning his contacts.

According to the sources, the first secretary was asked by police to appear for questioning on suspicion of violating the Vienna Convention for allegedly making personal profits through commercial activities, which diplomats are prohibited from engaging in.

The Public Security Bureau suspects the 45-year-old first secretary used a fraudulently obtained alien registration certificate to open a bank account.

The bureau asked the Foreign Ministry to approach the Chinese Embassy to have the diplomat appear for questioning, the sources said.

However, the embassy refused the request and last week he left Japan for China, the sources said.

The sources said money such as advisory fees was paid into his bank account by Japanese companies.

The Public Security Bureau suspects the money might have been used for his intelligence activities. It is working to build a case against him using the Alien Registration Law.

This would be the first case of a Chinese diplomat being charged with violating a Japanese law.

According to police authorities, the diplomat became the first secretary in charge of economic affairs in July 2007.

In China, he graduated from a People’s Liberation Army foreign language school before starting work at the second division of the PLA’s General Staff, under which Chinese agents conduct intelligence activities in many countries around the world.