Key facts
- China announced it will take countermeasures against Taiwan's new intelligence tip website.
- Taiwan's National Security Bureau launched the site to collect information from Chinese nationals.
- China's Taiwan Affairs Office called the site an act of "intelligence theft" and escalation.
- Beijing warned it would pursue legal responsibility for those providing intelligence to Taiwan.
- Taiwan cited similar intelligence-gathering programs in the U.S., Britain, and Israel.
China stated on Wednesday that it will implement countermeasures in response to a new Taiwanese government website that allows Chinese nationals to report intelligence tips. Beijing characterized the initiative as "intelligence theft" and a demonstration of Taiwan's "confrontational mindset."
Taiwan's National Security Bureau unveiled the website on Sunday, describing it as a secure channel for individuals disillusioned with China's system who desire change. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, asserted at a regular news conference that Taiwan is engaged 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," Chen said. He added, "We strongly condemn this and will resolutely take countermeasures," without providing specific details. Chen also emphasized that Chinese citizens, organizations, companies, and other groups have a responsibility to safeguard security and that relevant departments will pursue legal responsibility for any criminal acts of providing intelligence to Taiwan's agencies.