Taiwan has observed a notable increase in suspected instances of Chinese espionage

The number of Taiwanese individuals charged with suspected espionage on behalf of China increased by one-third last year, reaching 64, according to the National Security Bureau of Taiwan. The majority of those charged were either active or retired military personnel.

In recent years, China has intensified its political and military pressure to assert its claim over Taiwan, which operates as a democratic entity. This pressure has manifested in daily military exercises, surveillance balloons near the island, and a concerted espionage effort.

The rise in charges related to espionage for China marks a notable increase from 48 in 2023 and just 10 in 2022, as reported by the National Security Bureau on Sunday. The report did not clarify the reasons behind this surge in cases.

“The Chinese Communist Party continues to employ various methods to infiltrate different sectors of society, aiming to recruit citizens to establish networks or gather sensitive governmental information,” the report stated.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of China did not provide an immediate response to inquiries for comment. The report indicated that approximately two-thirds of those charged last year were current or former military members, highlighting this group as the primary target of China’s infiltration efforts. It noted that some retired soldiers engaged with criminal organizations, underground banking, and religious groups to recruit active military personnel for the purpose of obtaining sensitive military data or forming espionage networks.

In certain unspecified instances, the report indicated that some gang members were recruited to act as undercover agents to “sabotage” efforts and display China’s flag in the event of a Chinese incursion. Additionally, several retired military personnel were tasked with collecting photographs and the locations of a foreign government office in Taiwan, aiming to establish a “sniper team” for an “assassination mission.”

Last year, seven retired military officials faced prosecution on allegations of Chinese espionage, which included mapping the coordinates and details of various military installations and the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei, as reported by the official Central News Agency last week.

Beijing has consistently maintained its stance on the potential use of force to assert control over Taiwan. The Taipei government firmly disputes China’s claim of sovereignty and is committed to safeguarding its democracy and freedoms.