China’s Ministry of State Security has announced that it has uncovered more than 1,000 cases of Taiwanese espionage as part of a broader crackdown on what it terms pro-independence forces in Taiwan. This revelation was made in a post on WeChat on Tuesday. The announcement comes amid a backdrop of increasing tensions between China and Taiwan, with Beijing continuing to assert its sovereignty over the self-ruled island.
The CCP’s campaign against Taiwanese espionage is reportedly part of a series of special operations that have been ongoing for several years, according to the Ministry. In its announcement, the Ministry emphasized that it would continue to “strike hard” against such activities, a statement underscoring the Chinese government’s resolve to combat what it perceives as threats to its national security and territorial integrity.
Prominently displayed on the homepage of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) website is a banner reading “punish Taiwan independence diehards in accordance with the law.” Clicking on this banner directs users to a new webpage where ten individuals, labeled as “diehards” for their pro-independence stance, are listed. These individuals include high-ranking Taiwanese officials such as Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim, Defense Minister Wellington Koo, and former Foreign Minister and current National Security Council head Joseph Wu.
While the inclusion of these names is not surprising—Beijing has sanctioned these individuals previously—this new list comes on the heels of China’s legal guidelines issued in June. These guidelines now define the promotion of Taiwanese independence as a crime punishable by severe penalties, including the death penalty. The timing of this list’s publication suggests that Beijing is escalating its warnings and may continue to add more names in the future.
The majority of those listed are associated with Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which advocates for Taiwan’s separate identity from China. One notable absence from the list is Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who has been a frequent target of Beijing’s criticism due to his past remarks supporting Taiwanese independence. Experts believe that this omission may be a strategic move by Beijing, leaving some room for potential diplomatic maneuvering while avoiding actions that could be perceived as an outright declaration of hostility.
The Chinese government’s approach appears to be part of a larger strategy to isolate and pressure Taiwan’s pro-independence leadership while simultaneously sending a stern warning to other Taiwanese officials and the international community. The ongoing campaign also highlights Beijing’s growing use of legal and coercive measures to enforce its territorial claims and suppress dissenting voices.
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