China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Tuesday disclosed a recent case highlighting the vigilance of a food delivery rider who helped thwart a potential breach of national security. The agency warned that foreign intelligence operatives have been attempting to exploit the unique advantages of delivery workers—including their constant movement, flexible routes, and local knowledge—to conduct surveillance and gather confidential information.
The incident involved delivery rider Xiao Wang, who on a summer afternoon received an unusual order for braised pork trotter rice near a sensitive and strictly managed facility. When the customer insisted on photographic proof of delivery despite clear restrictions, Wang grew suspicious. Despite being offered a tip to take random photos nearby, he refused and promptly reported the suspicious behavior to the national security hotline.
An investigation revealed that the customer had a personal dispute with an employee at the facility and was unaware of the site’s confidentiality rules. While authorities ruled out any foreign espionage collusion in this specific case, MSS praised Wang’s alertness and sense of responsibility for protecting national security.
The MSS further cautioned that foreign spy agencies have increasingly sought to exploit delivery workers’ access and mobility to monitor sensitive government offices, research labs, energy plants, and other critical sites. The agency urged delivery personnel and the public to remain vigilant against unusual requests, such as being asked to photograph secure buildings, deliver non-food items like USB drives, or answer seemingly casual but probing questions about staff schedules or security measures.
This alert underscores China’s heightened focus on counterintelligence efforts amid growing concerns over espionage tactics that leverage everyday professions to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
