Taiwan detains lieutenant colonel suspected of spying for Beijing
- Island’s military vows to boost counter-espionage efforts after officer held on suspicion of leaking defence secrets
- He is also accused of meeting serving and retired military personnel to develop a spy network to gather intelligence
Taipei has vowed to step up anti-espionage efforts as authorities detained a lieutenant colonel suspected of spying for Beijing.
It said the ministry and national security units had conducted a joint investigation after receiving tip-offs, and evidence had been given to prosecutors for further proceedings.
The lieutenant colonel, surnamed Hsieh, was detained on suspicion of leaking defence intelligence to Beijing via a middleman, according to the official Central News Agency. It said he was based in the 601st Brigade of the army’s Aviation and Special Forces Command in Taoyuan.
Hsieh is also accused of meeting serving and retired military personnel to develop a spy network to collect intelligence, according to the report.
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It comes as self-ruled Taiwan is under growing military pressure from Beijing over what it says are attempts by the island – which it sees as part of its territory – to seek independence as Taipei develops closer ties with Washington and its allies. Most countries, including the US, do not see Taiwan as an independent state but many oppose any change of status quo by force.