Foreigners using GPS face arrest in China

Telecom Asia Staff | March 26, 2009

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China's Bureau of Surveying and Mapping (BSM) has warned foreigners to turn off the GPS functions on their mobile phones, or risk arrest.

The bureau warned foreigners using GPS devices on mainland China that they could be detained if suspected of conducting illegal mapping.

The bureau has launched a crackdown on "illegal surveying", the South China Morning Post reported, with foreigners the main targets.

Under Chinese law, non-Chinese institutions or individuals intending to use mapping devices in China must file a request to the government - which can take months to approve - have their data submitted for vetting and be 'assisted' by Chinese authorities.

A US citizen, mining expert Calvin Herron, was arrested for using a handheld GPS device in a village near Luoyang in 2007, the bureau said. He was detained for four months, then deported and fined 100,000 yuan ($14,640).

Chinese experts believe Herron was arrested for getting too close to guided missile sites believed to be situated in Luoyang.

Telecom Asia Staff

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Thanks for sharing your

Submitted by d360f96702b69a6fc8cdaf6d1ecf8248 on 11 March 2010 - 5:05am.

Thanks for sharing your information.

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Thanks for sharing with us.

Submitted by c1830a1f6ed566ad530d2f9cbb6380e8 on 20 February 2010 - 3:04pm.

Thanks for sharing with us.

A law is a law whatever

Submitted by 23b9f15d4d96f5d2b192fc56855aedba on 19 February 2010 - 4:26pm.

A law is a law whatever country you are in and they are supposed to be followed. I don't think the Chinese government meant ill with this law. They just feel it is for the best interest of their people.

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While we don't reject

Submitted by d919263a0d24d2ac3ee8d60a5dec73b8 on 12 February 2010 - 11:08pm.

While we don't reject foreign satellite navigation and positioning systems, the government should require key departments to use China's own Compass system, in order to ensure national security and promote the development of our own satellite navigation and positioning system.

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The laws implemented by the

Submitted by 47732c81f8ca11a31e42d8f77897d426 on 12 February 2010 - 2:07pm.

The laws implemented by the Chinese government may or may not have motives but the point is, people still need to follow the law. If you cannot handle the law then don't bother going to their country to prevent any untoward experience.

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Clearly, this law was

Submitted by 1a2aacabd695f01a0c29f6ee5b898fbc on 7 February 2010 - 10:35pm.

Clearly, this law was implemented by the Chinese government to protect their national interest. Any foreigner guilty of this offense should be properly dealt with. It pays to know the current laws, culture, and traditions of a certain country before planning on visiting one.

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The way china do that is

Submitted by d963647cc1c961815f0976ce66ff0299 on 6 February 2010 - 1:36am.

The way china do that is perhaps one of the way but would that stop those mapping data from getting outside of china. If foreigners really wanted them, they could employ chinese people to do it. Well, that is at least what I could see. They can try to prevent it but not eliminate the possibility. Brett is the editor of Family Toilet Seat and Portable Public Address Systems

China seems to really be

Submitted by 1df3fedad6c2f9d4a5b83ec7524df21e on 5 February 2010 - 3:43am.

China seems to really be cracking down on those who don't obey the law. In the US the real estate market is similar. The term Short Sale is becoming one that has instituted similar measures in both the San Diego Short Sale market and the Foreclosure market.