Taiwanese law change targets military personnel with links to mainland China
The amendment, which is ready for cabinet consideration, includes prison sentences for expressing allegiance to Beijing
Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung said on Tuesday that the stricter measures were aimed at countering Beijing’s growing influence and espionage activities on the island.
He was speaking the day after the ministry announced that the draft amendment – which includes potential prison sentences for active-duty military personnel found to be disloyal – was ready to be sent to cabinet for its approval.
The new wording stipulates that service members who “express allegiance to the enemy through words, actions, writings, pictures, or digital records” will face prison terms ranging from one to seven years.
While most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, Washington remains opposed to any forcible seizure of the island and continues to support Taiwan’s self-defence efforts through arms sales.