Analysis: How Taiwan Can Respond to China's Espionage Tactics
China placed 18 members of a frontline Taiwanese military unit on a bounty list on the same weekend that a former soldier was indicted for selling internal information to Chinese agents. TaiwanPlus speaks to defense expert Ming-shih Shen for more on both cases.
Chinese Espionage in Taiwan
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REPORTER:
These two recent cases, one involving bounties being placed on members of the Political Warfare Bureau, and the second, involving a marine who is accused of leaking internal documents to Chinese intelligence operatives. What concerns do they raise about Chinese espionage towards Taiwan or in Taiwan?
Ming-shih Shen (DEFENSE ANALYST, INDSR):
Now China is putting bounties on front line personnel
hoping to not only demonstrate its own abilities but to try to demoralize them. If I put a bounty on you you could be wanted for life and even face the death penalty. So by using this form of legal warfare they aim to intimidate frontline personnel so that they become too afraid to continue this line of work
or serve in these kinds of units. I think the intent is very clear.
As for the case of the naval officer that was a more straightforward case of stealing the military’s operational secrets.
Whether it’s the CCP coercing key military personnel
threatening them or stealing operational documents and guidelines the impact on Taiwan’s future defensive operations could be significant.
REPORTER:
Does Taiwan need to consider amending the national security law?
Ming-shih Shen (DEFENSE ANALYST, INDSR):
The National Security Act also does not specifically cover these kinds of leaks. When it comes to this type of issue Taiwan should look to US laws on non-classified but sensitive information then draft legal amendments on rules and penalties on safekeeping, use and leaks of that information.
If the laws are to be amended it shouldn’t just be the National Security Act. Related laws like the Information Protection Act and Anti-Infiltration Act should also be revised.
REPORTER:
How do these recent cases fit into broader Chinese strategies towards Taiwan?
Ming-shih Shen (DEFENSE ANALYST, INDSR):
Looking at the most recent cases of espionage
China has moved from targeting higher-ranking officers
to looking at lower-level personnel. A junior non-commissioned officer might not have access
to the same level of information but does know a lot of operational details.
Everything they are doing is laying the groundwork in case it becomes necessary to unify with Taiwan by force.
