The Chinese Communist Party’s infiltration of Taiwan has reached “the highest density in the world,” according to former Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) director Liu De-liang. He warned that Beijing’s operations extend beyond traditional espionage to the government, armed forces, major corporations, and policy think tanks—and that ordinary citizens could unknowingly become assets of Chinese intelligence.
Speaking at a seminar on “Domestic Counterintelligence Security and Anti-Infiltration” hosted by the Taiwan Motivational Association on Nov. 1, Liu urged the public to strengthen awareness of espionage risks and called for legal reforms to protect whistleblowers.
Liu, a retired lieutenant general who once led Taiwan’s top intelligence service, said Beijing employs coercion, seduction, and long-term manipulation to exploit Taiwan’s open society.
“At any time, in any place, and through any contact, a person could—knowingly or not—become an asset used by the enemy,” Liu said.
He explained that the CCP’s infiltration targets not only national institutions but also political parties, major enterprises, and academic think tanks. To counter the threat, he urged the government to amend the National Intelligence Work Act to provide whistleblower protection and raise monetary rewards for reporting espionage.
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
Liu also emphasized discretion in everyday life.
“Don’t say what shouldn’t be said,” he cautioned. “Temptations of money, sex, and vanity can destroy both families and careers.”
He added that individuals in senior positions must be especially vigilant, as recruitment often comes from “familiar faces—friends, relatives, or classmates.”
Espionage cases continue to rise
According to an April report from Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) to the Legislative Yuan, 159 individuals have been indicted in espionage-related cases since 2020. Among them, 95 were active or retired military personnel, accounting for roughly 60 percent of all prosecutions.
Officials noted that the number of espionage cases has risen each year, reflecting both increased CCP activity and improved counterintelligence efforts.
After the seminar, Liu told reporters that the CCP’s infiltration has intensified for two main reasons:
- Urgency — Beijing wants to “fully map out” Taiwan’s internal systems amid growing cross-strait tensions.
- Resources — As China’s national power expands, so does its capacity to fund infiltration and influence campaigns.
He warned that many Taiwanese village chiefs and local officials are invited to China on sponsored “friendship tours,” where some fall victim to honey traps or entrapment schemes.
“The CCP often plays the long game,” Liu said. “It cultivates targets patiently, encouraging them to rise from local councilor to legislator or even higher.”
Liu noted that think tanks have also become key targets of CCP operations. Whether through united front activities or intelligence work, such efforts often begin in social settings.
Academic seminars and exchanges hosted by think tanks, he said, provide ideal venues for cultivating contacts. Because scholars in these institutions often interact with senior officials and handle sensitive information, they have become prime targets for Beijing’s intelligence network.
Liu concluded by urging both citizens and institutions to strengthen counterintelligence awareness. He said Taiwan’s open and democratic society makes it especially vulnerable to infiltration and that maintaining vigilance in both personal and professional conduct is essential for national security.
