Ministry of State Security

The logo of the MSS

Sino-Russian War

The **Ministry of State Security**is China's main intelligence, security and secret police agency (non-military area of interests), responsible for counter-intelligence, foreign intelligence and political security. MSS has been described as one of the most secretive intelligence organizations in the world. It is headquartered in Beijing. The MSS was preceded by the Central Investigation Department (CID), which was China's primary intelligence organization from 1955 to 1983. The MSS was created with the merging of the CID and the counter-intelligence elements of the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China.

The logo of the MSS is unique among Chinese government agencies as it displays the party embleminstead of the state emblem.

It is sometimes referred to as China's version of the CIA.

## Organization

The MSS is divided into Bureaus, each assigned to a division with a broad directive and each bureau is given a specific task. As of 2016, about 17 bureaus have been identified:

* Confidential Communication Division: Responsible for the management and administration of confidential communications
* International Intelligence Division: Responsible for strategic international intelligence collection
* Political and Economic Intelligence Division: Responsible for gathering political, economic, and scientific intelligence from various countries
* Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau Division: Responsible for intelligence work in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau
* Intelligence Analysis Division: Responsible for analysing and reporting on intelligence and collecting guidance on how to handle intelligence matters
* Operational Guidance Division: Responsible for directing and supervising the activities of provincial level MSS offices
* Counterintelligence Division: Responsible for gathering counterintelligence information
* No.8 bureau: Another name for yet another Counterintelligence Division, which is responsible for monitoring, investigating, and potentially detaining foreigners suspected of counterintelligence activities, also reported to cover cover and investigate diplomats, businessmen, and reporters.
* Internal Security and Anti-Reconnaissance Division: Responsible for protecting the MSS from infiltration by foreign entities by monitoring domestic reactionary organizations and foreign institutions
* External Security and Anti-Reconnaissance Division: Responsible for monitoring students and institutions abroad in order to investigate international anti-communist activities
* Information and Auditing Division: Responsible for the collection and management of intelligence materials
* Social Research Division: Responsible for conducting public opinion polling and surveying the population
* Science and Technology Investigative Division: Responsible for managing science and technology projects and conducting research and development
* Science and Technology Investigative Division: Responsible for inspecting mail and telecommunications
* Comprehensive Intelligence Analysis Division: Responsible for the analysis and interpretation of intelligence materials
* Imaging Intelligence Division: Responsible for collecting and interpreting images of political, economic, and military targets in various countries through both traditional practices and through incorporation of satellite imagery technologies
* Enterprises Division: Responsible for the operation and management of MSS owned front companies, enterprises, and other institutions

## Weapons and equipment

### Handguns

* QSZ-92
* Makarov PM
* P19
* P12
* QX-04
* QSW-06