The Chinese government is warning its workers about dating handsome foreigners, as they may be spies.

A new book-style poster has been widely displayed across Beijing, telling the story of 'David' - a visiting scholar researching issues about China.

He then gets talking to 'Xiao Li', a young woman who just joined the civil service after graduating college.

After the two characters start to date, David asks Xiao Li about the details of her job.

David then asks her to share internal documents with him, as these would help him "write academic articles", which she does.

Xiao Li is then questioned by police, after it is revealed that David is "an overseas spy in China to steal political and military information".

The poster finishes with a warning that: "Whoever steals, secretly gathers, purchases, or illegally provides state secrets or intelligence for an organization, institution, or personnel outside the country is to be sentenced from not less than five years to not more than 10 years of fixed-term imprisonment".

CNN reports that the cartoon poster appeared to be part of a range of more than 100 promotional materials released to coincide with China's first "National Security Education Day" on April 15th.

Be wary, weary traveller...