Activities of Chinese intelligence decreased last year, but China's interest in Latvia will increase again in the foreseeable future - State Security Service

  • 2022-04-29
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Last year, the State Security Service (VDD) observed a decline in the level of activities of China's intelligence vis-à-vis Latvia, but China's interest in Latvia will increase again in the foreseeable future, according to a VDD report on 2021 published on Thursday.

The decrease in the level of activities of Chinese special services in relation to Latvia is largely explained by the restrictions on travel and public life introduced to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

According to the VDD assessment, China's interest in Latvia will increase again in the foreseeable future, especially if the differences between the West and China on important issues deepen.

The report also mentions that the activities of Chinese intelligence were mainly related to interest in sectors and companies important to the Latvian economy.

Chinese intelligence services usually offer open cooperation offers to foreigners when they visit East Asia. Although Latvia is not currently a priority for China's special services, Latvians must take into account that the country's intelligence will not hesitate to use favorable conditions for the establishment of operational positions in Latvia.

In recent years, China has invested heavily in developing innovative products in order to gain greater dominance in global markets and improve its image. Therefore, in 2021, scientific projects with high innovation potential in NATO countries, including Latvia, were also of interest to China's special services.