Chinese military history enthusiast buys books including confidential military documents

A military history enthusiast in China grabbed headlines after he revealed that four discarded books at a neighborhood recycling station he had bought for less than $1 mostly included confidential military documents.

The country’s Ministry of State Security took to its official social media account on Thursday (June 13), heaping praises on the retired man for reporting the incident.

It identified the man as Zhang, his family name, without sharing details on what the document was about.

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“Mr Zhang thought to himself that he had ‘bought’ the country’s military secrets and brought them home,” the post reads, “but if someone with ulterior motives were to buy them, the consequences would be unimaginable!”

The social media post, reposted by at least two renowned Chinese news websites, was the latest in a series of posts in an attempt to draw new audiences with dramatic stories.

The campaign reportedly has been created to raise awareness about the significance of national security.

This comes during the time when confrontation with the United States has intensified and theft or transfer of confidential and secret information is a matter of concern for both the countries.

The post describes Zhang as someone who loves to collect military newspapers and periodicals. It said that he bought the books at the recycling station for 6 yuan (about 85 cents).

State security agents immediately rushed to the station after Zhang reported the incident, said the post.

After the probe, it was found out that two military employees who were charged with shredding over 200 books, sold them off at a recycling centre as paper waste.

The agents reportedly seized the books and the military has closed loopholes in the handling of such material.

(With inputs from agencies)