Security Firm Exposes Role of Beijing Research Institute in China’s Cyber Operations

According to Recorded Future, the Beijing Institute of Electronics Technology and Application (BIETA) and its subsidiary Beijing Sanxin Times Technology Co (CIII) research and sell technologies that support China’s intelligence, counterintelligence and military operations, with BIETA believed to be fronting MSS activities.

The firm notes BIETA is likely led by the MSS and based in the ministry compound, and that BIETA and CIII are involved in steganography research to support covert communications and malware deployment, as well as in developing and selling forensic and counterintelligence equipment. BIETA comprises at least four research labs focused on communication, multimedia information security, electromagnetic technology and related areas, plus a quality testing centre for integrated circuits and related systems.

At least four BIETA personnel—Wu Shizhong, He Dequan, You Xingang and Zhou Linna—are linked to the MSS, with three very likely MSS personnel, according to Recorded Future. The report also states that BIETA and CIII focus on steganography and that their activities help the MSS’s operations, including technology transfer risks arising from foreign collaboration. 7 October 2025.