Up to 500,000 yuan (about 72,365USD) is being offered by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of State Security for information about suspected foreign espionage, the Beijing Morning Post reported.

A new policy introduced by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of State Security encouraging people to provide clues about suspected espionage activities by offering them a substantial cash reward, takes effects from April 10, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

As China's reform and opening-up deepens, China has become concerned about political infiltration and other disruption caused by foreign espionage, intelligence agencies according to the Beijing Morning Post.

As the country's capital, Beijing is seen as the target of choice for foreign espionage and intelligence agencies, the paper says.

The Beijing Municipal Bureau of State Security has set three levels of reward: 100,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan; 50,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan; and 10,000 yuan to 50,000 yuan respectively based on the importance of information, according to the policy.

Those who make a false accusation against others will be punished by law.

Informants or their families who face a threat to their safety can seek protection from the security office, the policy says.

Citizens can report the information by calling the 12339 hotline, or by writing letters to or visiting the security office.

The report outlines many types of espionage activities, such as illegal surveying and mapping, and says many such activities have already been detected and reported to relevant judicial organizations by ordinary people.