BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Beijing citizens who provide useful information on spying are eligible for a cash reward of up to 500,000 yuan (72,460 U.S. dollars), according to a policy that went into effect Monday.

Informants can pass information to authorities through calling a hotline, sending letters or visiting the city's state security bureau.

After collating the information, the bureau can offer rewards ranging from 10,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan based on the reports' usefulness.

Personal information of informants will not be disclosed without their consent, and informants can also seek protection from security authorities if they or their close relatives are in danger due to informing.

However, informants will be punished if they deliberately slander others, or invent and spread false information.