China is spying and interfering in elections, trying to trap government officials, this country presented a report

taipei: Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) has released a report revealing China's infiltration strategies. It has been told that China is adopting new methods to trap Taiwan's soldiers and government officials.

According to the report, China's espionage activities in Taiwan have increased in recent years. The number increased to 64 in 2024, compared to 16 cases in 2021. These included 15 ex-servicemen and 28 active soldiers. The report was issued by the NSB, which is Taiwan's main intelligence agency and is subordinate to the National Security Council.

Active service members sued

According to the NSB, the targets of Chinese infiltration attempts included government agencies, local unions and military units. The NSB said 15 military veterans and 28 active service members were prosecuted in 2024, accounting for 23 percent and 43 percent of all Chinese espionage cases, respectively.

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Regarding infiltration channels, the NSB said China created contacts with criminal gangs, local temples and religious groups and civil organizations and helped retired military personnel set up shell companies and underground banks or casinos.

use of channels

According to Taiwan News reports, Chinese operators, through these channels, often resort to using retired military personnel to recruit active service members, setting up networks via the Internet or luring targets with cash or exploiting their debts. Let's try to do.

interference in elections

The NSB noted that for example, military personnel with financial difficulties may be offered loans through online platforms or underground banks in exchange for sharing secret intelligence, signing loyalty pledges or recruiting others. During the election campaign, China paid for village chiefs in Taiwan to travel to China in exchange for supporting candidates from specific parties.

keeping an eye on defense intelligence

Additionally, Taiwan News reported that in a case made public last week, the Taiwan government accused the founder of a small political party in Miaoli and six other retired military officers of accepting money in exchange for sharing photos and GPS coordinates of Taiwan's military installations. Pleaded guilty to.

The Fukang Alliance Party, a political party founded by the group's leader and reportedly financed by China, fielded four unelected candidates in Taiwan's legislative elections in 2024. However, no candidate came even close to being elected. According to the report, China's infiltration efforts are often aimed at gaining access to sensitive national defense intelligence, developing espionage or “co-opt networks” in Taiwan, and even interfering in Taiwan's elections.

(with agency input)