The Ministry of State Security is a ministry under the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, responsible for counter-espionage and political security. It was established in 1983 through the merger of the investigation department of the CPC Central Committee, the political security bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, and some departments of the United Front Work Department and State Commission of Science and Technology for National Defense Industry. The Ministry’s task is to safeguard national sovereignty and the interests. The Ministry can exercise rights to conduct investigation, detention, preliminary examination and arrest stipulated in Constitution and other laws.