This includes some 40 Hongdian HZ5, based on the elderly Russian Il-28 jet bomber, converted as electronic warfare platforms, some 100 JZ6, based on the Russian MiG-19 jet fighter used for high altitude reconnaissance and around 30 JZ-7 and JZ-8 jet fighters used for specialist reconnaissance.
 
However, far more potent would be the 20 or so MiG-31 jet fighters believed to be converted as high-speed 'spyplanes' and reportedly delivered to the Chinese since 1992 and in addition to 8 HZ-6, long range Russian Tu-16 jet bombers converted as major ELINT or electronic intelligence gathering platforms and 2 converted Tu-154M jet airliners equipped as ECM/ELINT test-beds flying out of Nan Yuan Airbase, south of Beijing.
 
The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology or SAST, controls a large scale military satellite program.  There have been at least 15 successful IMINT or image intelligence missions between 1975 and 1999, and while the Chinese have had less success with SIGINT and ELINT satellites they are pushing ahead with the development of such systems following the JSSW tests in 1976-77, SJ in 1981 and the DQ series since 1990.
 
Both the Chinese Navy, and the PLA or Chinese Army have large SIGINT and HUMINT capabilities, the later run by the 2nd (Intelligence) Department and Analysis Bureau.  The Chinese SIGINT or Signal Intelligence network includes at least 22 major interception sites worldwide, including 1 in Laos, 3 on Burmese territory and the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC.
 
Overall control of this vast intelligence organization is in the hands of two major agencies, the Ministry of Public security with its headquarters on Eastern Changan Avenue, next to Tiananmen Square in Beijing and the infamous Ministry of State Security, formed only in 1983, based at Xiyuan, next to the Summer Palace in western Beijing.
 
The Chinese have gained a considerable reputation over the last thirty years for having highly effective espionage services and they are becoming ever more aggressive, with some notably successful operations against US secret nuclear and high-tech computer installations.
 
The US should not allow itself to feel embarrassed for keeping a close intelligence watch on a nation that now openly challenges the United States for both power and influence throughout most of Asia and the Pacific region.
 
For more information on Chinese Intelligence operations Contact the Editor:   Richard M. Bennett