A Taiwan court has sentenced four soldiers to prison for spying for China. The court ruled that they had shared military secrets in exchange for money, putting the country’s security at risk. Among them, three soldiers had worked in the security unit responsible for protecting president. The fourth was a member of the defence ministry’s telecommunications command. Their jail terms range from five years and ten months to seven years.
The court in Taipei said that between 2022 and 2024, the soldiers had taken pictures of important military information using their mobile phones. They then sent these images to Chinese intelligence agents in exchange for payments ranging from NT$260,000 to NT$660,000 (about $7,850 to $20,000).
The court stated that these men worked in “extremely sensitive and important units” and should have been loyal to their country. Instead, they accepted bribes and stole secrets, betraying Taiwan’s national security. Authorities launched an investigation in August 2023 after receiving a tip-off. Three of the soldiers had already left the military before the probe began, while the fourth was suspended from service.Chilling Chinese Espionage Plot Erupts at Hotel in Alps Near F-35 Facility
Growing Spy Problem Between Taiwan and China
Cases of espionage involving Taiwan’s military have been increasing. More and more military officers, both current and retired, have been caught spying for China in recent years.
Beijing has long claimed Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to take control of the island, even using force if necessary. As a result, it faces constant pressure from China in many ways, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and espionage.
According to Taiwan’s intelligence agency, 64 people were prosecuted for spying for China in 2024. This number was much higher than in previous years, with 48 people prosecuted in 2023 and just 10 in 2022. In 2017, the government estimated that over 5,000 spies were working for China within the country.
China is successfully penetrating into the most protected security systems of the president, which is a big area of concern for Taiwan.Chinese Cameras: A Growing Espionage Threat to the US
Some shocking cases have been uncovered. In one case, soldiers filmed themselves swearing allegiance to China, saying they would surrender as soon as China invaded Taiwan. Others signed written pledges of loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. Some retired officers were even paid to recruit active soldiers to spy for China.
Taiwan Takes Action to Strengthen Security
In response to the growing number of spy cases, the government is taking strong measures to protect national security. The president recently declared China a “foreign hostile power” and introduced new laws to fight espionage. One of these measures includes bringing back military courts to handle cases of spying by soldiers.
To prevent soldiers from being tempted by money, Taiwan’s government has also announced an increase in the salaries of military personnel. Investigations have shown that some spies were lured by financial offers, while others felt frustrated by a lack of career progress. Some were even tricked using romantic or sexual relationships.
Both Taiwan and China have been spying on each other for decades, but experts believe espionage is a bigger threat to Taiwan. If China ever launches an invasion, having spies within Taiwan’s military could make the country even more vulnerable. The government is now working harder than ever to stop spies before they can cause serious damage.
This latest case is a reminder of how serious the issue of espionage has become. The sentencing of these four soldiers sends a clear message—betraying Taiwan’s security will not be tolerated.
