Taiwan’s National Security Bureau reports a sharp rise in espionage prosecutions, with retired officers at the center of China’s infiltration strategy.
Taiwan has revealed a disturbing trend in Chinese espionage activities, with 85% of individuals prosecuted for espionage being retired military and police officers. This disclosure highlights China’s methodical efforts to infiltrate Taiwan’s defense and law enforcement networks, according to Radio Free Asia.
Liang Wen-chieh, spokesperson for Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, stated that China has been “systematically cultivating” these individuals, making it increasingly difficult to gather evidence in espionage and national security cases. Taiwan’s national security laws are designed to safeguard its sovereignty and democratic values, primarily targeting espionage, subversion, and external threats, especially from China, which continues to view Taiwan as a breakaway province.
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has reported a sharp increase in espionage cases, rising from 16 prosecutions in 2021 to 64 in 2024. In 2024, 43% of these cases involved active service members, while 23% involved military veterans. These figures reflect the growing concern over China’s attempts to undermine Taiwan’s security.
Chinese operatives often exploit financial vulnerabilities and personal connections to recruit informants. Retired military personnel are particularly targeted due to their ongoing access to active service members. Recruitment tactics include offering loans via online platforms or underground banks in exchange for classified information, and persuading individuals to sign loyalty agreements or recruit others.
Experts, such as Lin Ying-Yu, a professor at Tamkang University, emphasized that retired officers’ extensive networks make them invaluable intermediaries for espionage activities. “Their connections to active personnel provide a channel for accessing classified intelligence,” Lin explained.
In response to this growing threat, Taiwanese officials are calling for more stringent measures to protect national security and counter China’s infiltration efforts.
