A
Taiwanese sergeant has been indicted for allegedly photographing and leaking
confidential defence information to China, according to prosecutors on Tuesday,
July 9.
Beijing,
which claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, has intensified military and
political pressure on the island in recent years.
The
sergeant, identified by his surname Chen, worked at a navy training centre and
was recruited by several individuals who "collected intelligence for
mainland China" through messaging apps in 2022, said the Taiwan High
Prosecutors' Office.
"Between
April 2022 and February 2023, he photographed secret national defence
information in Pingtung, Yilan, and other locations using his mobile
phone," the office stated. "He sent the information four times via
Line and Telegram for a total illegal gain of NT$170,000 ($5,230)."
Chen
has been charged with violating the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces and the
Anti-Corruption Act.
Defense
ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang commented on the indictment, stating that the
military had collaborated with national security units on the case. "In
recent years, the CCP’s (Chinese Communist Party’s) infiltration has indeed
posed a very serious threat to the military. The threat is no less than the
threats posed by missiles or aircraft and ships," Sun told reporters.
China
maintains a near-daily presence of warships, drones, and fighter jets around
Taiwan. Earlier this year, Beijing launched war games following the May 20
inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, whom they regard as a
"dangerous separatist" due to his defence of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
In
pre-recorded footage for a military television program aired Tuesday, July 9,
President Lai, dressed in military fatigues, warned soldiers at an air force
base in central Taichung city to remain vigilant. "China’s infiltration
and spying will not stop," he said. "You must always be vigilant, pay
attention to your own information security, and do not fall into traps."
Chen's
indictment is the latest in a series of spying cases. In April, a father and
son were sentenced to eight years in prison for collecting confidential
military information and attempting to develop a spying
"organization" for Beijing.
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