The Director of the National Security Bureau of the Republic of China, Cai Mingyan, stated during questioning at the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee today (8th) that from last year to the present, 15 Taiwanese individuals have been detained and tried after entering the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau regions, with 51 individuals undergoing investigations by the Chinese authorities during their entry, indicating an increasing trend in such cases.
The Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Republic of China’s Legislative Yuan invited the Director of the National Security Bureau, Cai Mingyan, along with representatives from the Mainland Affairs Council, Ministry of Culture, National Communications Commission, and Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice to report on “Recent Chinese Communist Party Infiltration into Taiwan as well as Countermeasures,” followed by inquiries.
Legislator Chen Guanting questioned, “With the addition of new national security laws by the Chinese Communist Party, is it dangerous for Taiwanese nationals to travel to mainland China?” Cai Mingyan responded that the CCP enacted the “Counter-espionage Law” last July, and this year introduced the “Law on the Protection of National Secrets,” indicating the need to alert Taiwanese about potential risks while traveling or conducting business in mainland areas.
Cai Mingyan highlighted that approximately 15 Taiwanese individuals have been detained and tried after entering the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau since last year, with 51 Taiwanese individuals subjected to investigations by Chinese authorities during the entry process, demonstrating an increasing trend in such cases.
Regarding the increased risks for Taiwanese traveling to the mainland, the National Security Bureau respects the Mainland Affairs Council’s decision to raise the travel advisory to “orange” level, aligning with similar precautions taken by international societies, including European and American countries and South Korea, heightening travel alerts to China. The Mainland Affairs Council announced on June 27th the elevation of travel alerts to “orange” for mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, advising Taiwanese to avoid unnecessary travel to the mainland.
Legislator Wang Dingyu inquired about the implementation of CCP laws such as the “Counter-espionage Law” and “Law on the Protection of National Secrets,” noting their vague and broad authorization, potentially leading to arbitrary arrests by the Chinese public security and national security authorities. He asked if the National Security Bureau or relevant agencies have researched whether the CCP targets specific groups of Taiwanese during inspections.
Cai Mingyan explained that Taiwanese individuals with certain specific backgrounds, such as past government service—particularly in the security or military sectors—or involvement in civic activities critical of the CCP on issues of freedom and democracy, may be classified as high-risk groups by the Chinese authorities. Similarly, those working in sensitive industries involving advanced technologies may also face interrogations during entry.
Wang Dingyu emphasized the need for the National Security Bureau, Mainland Affairs Council, and Ministry of Transportation to specify and communicate travel warnings to inform Taiwanese about the risks and avoid unnecessary trips to the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Cai Mingyan presented a written report titled “Recent Patterns and Responses of CCP Infiltration into Taiwan,” highlighting the CCP’s exploitation of Taiwan’s democratic openness to intensify infiltration activities through covert intelligence operations. The National Security team, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, has investigated 84 national security cases since last year, with 39 cases resulting in prosecutions, indicating a significant increase in CCP infiltration activities posing severe challenges to Taiwan’s national security.
In response to CCP infiltration patterns, the National Security Bureau identified four major categories: “information search and intelligence operations,” “development of organizations,” “technology espionage and talent poaching,” and “election interference.” Countermeasures include proactive intelligence gathering and investigations, preventing CCP espionage and talent poaching through public-private collaboration, enhancing cross-sector communication, encouraging public reporting, providing training to enhance investigative skills, and reinforce case handling capabilities.
The National Security Bureau explained that the CCP strategically utilizes a combination of covert intelligence and public united front activities to create favorable conditions for infiltration, employing cyber operations to manipulate information and shape perceptions in favor of the CCP’s interests, ultimately aiming to sow internal divisions and undermine Taiwan’s unity.
Adhering to legal frameworks such as the National Intelligence Services Act, the National Security Bureau integrates and guides various security units to safeguard national confidentiality and prevent CCP infiltration into Taiwan. Given the diversification of CCP infiltration methods and channels in recent years, the Bureau will continue to strengthen intelligence gathering efforts to provide evidence of illegal activities for judicial prosecution, collaborate with administrative departments to enhance security protection mechanisms, ensuring national security and safeguarding the democratic rule of law.