China on Wednesday warned that it would respond to a newly launched Taiwanese government website that encourages Chinese citizens to submit intelligence-related information, arguing that the platform reflects Taipei’s “confrontational mentality.”
The move comes against the backdrop of longstanding espionage activities between China and Taiwan. Beijing regards the self-governed island as part of its territory, while Taiwan has increasingly raised concerns over what it says is a growing number of Chinese spying cases in recent years.
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau unveiled the new website on Sunday, explaining it was offering a secure channel to what it said was an increasing number of people who are fed up with China’s system and want change.
China’s Reaction
Speaking at a regular news conference in Beijing, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said Taiwan was engaging in “intelligence theft, infiltration, and sabotage activities, escalating cross-strait confrontation and undermining cross-strait relations.
“This fully exposes their pro-Taiwan independence stance, their stubbornness, confrontational mindset, and refusal to change course,” he said.
“We strongly condemn this and will resolutely take countermeasures,” Chen added, without giving details.
Chinese citizens, organisations, companies and other groups all have a responsibility and obligation to safeguard security, he said.
“For those who provide intelligence to Taiwan’s intelligence agencies in a way that constitutes a crime, the relevant departments will pursue legal responsibility in accordance with the law.”
Taiwan said its new intelligence-gathering programme was following the lead of agencies in countries such as the U.S., Britain and Israel.
Cross-Strait Information Battle
The website is blocked in China, though many Chinese use VPNs to access other blocked sites such as Western social media and search engines.
China has tried similar tactics itself. In 2024, China announced an email address where people could report tip-offs about crimes committed by Taiwan “separatists”.
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
(With inputs from Reuters)
