Synopsis
Taiwan's President William Lai has unveiled 17 strategies aimed at enhancing national security, responding to growing infiltration threats from China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Measures include reinstating military courts and scrutinizing residency applications from Chinese nationals to safeguard Taiwan's sovereignty.Key Takeaways
- Taiwan introduces 17 strategies for national security.
- Military court system reinstated for oversight.
- Increased scrutiny on Chinese immigrants.
- Concerns over espionage affecting military personnel.
- Public awareness campaigns on risks of traveling to China.
Taipei, March 14 (NationPress) In a commitment to fortify national security, Taiwan's President William Lai Ching-te has rolled out 17 strategies aimed at combating escalating infiltration efforts, which include reinstating the military court system to enhance scrutiny of immigrants from China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
During a press conference following a high-level national security meeting, Lai remarked that China's ambitions to annex Taiwan and suppress its autonomy have remained unchanged for decades. He noted that Beijing continues its political and military intimidation, and the infiltration of Taiwanese society through united-front tactics has intensified. Lai emphasized that Taiwan must adopt a more assertive approach to security issues.
He stated, "China has been distorting United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which reflects its increasingly pressing threat to Taiwan's sovereignty."
Expressing concern over China's schemes to infiltrate and spy on Taiwanese military personnel, Lai pointed out that last year, 28 active-duty and 15 retired military members were charged with suspicions of espionage for China, accounting for 43% and 23% of all related cases, respectively.
"Taiwan is aware that China has been issuing Chinese passports widely to attract Taiwanese citizens to apply for the Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents, permanent residency, or the Resident Identity Card, attempting to blur the national identity of Taiwanese people," he added.
Lai asserted that Chinese nationals seeking permanent residency in Taiwan must, according to Taiwanese law, forfeit their existing household registration and passport, thus prohibiting dual identity status. For applicants from Hong Kong or Macau, additional provisions will be in place for long-term residency to accommodate practical needs.
He directed Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior and the Mainland Affairs Council to conduct surveys to ascertain the number of Taiwanese holding Chinese passports, ID cards, Taiwan resident permits, or permanent resident cards, particularly among military personnel, educators, and government employees.
Lai highlighted that the Taiwanese government will adopt a more proactive stance against Chinese cognitive and cyber security warfare via the Internet and artificial intelligence. He proposed amendments to Taiwan's National Security Act, the Anti-Infiltration Act, the Act Governing Relations between the People of Taiwan and the Mainland, the Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, and the Cybersecurity Management Act to ensure effective implementation of all strategies.
From January 2024 to March 13, 2025, the Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan reported 71 cases of Taiwanese nationals who have either gone missing or were detained, interrogated, or imprisoned in China; the actual number of unreported cases may exceed that. Lai stated that Taiwanese agencies must increase public awareness regarding the risks of traveling to China.
Furthermore, Lai urged collective action to protect Taiwan's democratic way of life. "In the face of escalating threats, the government will relentlessly strive to safeguard our national sovereignty and ensure the continuity of freedom, democracy, and the lifestyle of Taiwan's 23 million people. However, government power alone is insufficient; we need all citizens to remain vigilant and take action," he remarked.
