China vows countermeasures against Taiwan intelligence tip website

China announced on June 17 that it will implement countermeasures in response to Taiwan's newly launched website, which encourages Chinese nationals to report intelligence tips. Beijing characterized the site as exposing Taipei's "confrontational mindset."

Taiwan and China, which claims the self-governing island as its territory, have a history of espionage. Taiwan has reported an increase in Chinese espionage cases recently. The island's National Security Bureau introduced the website on June 14, describing it as a secure channel for individuals dissatisfied with China's system and seeking change.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, stated at a regular news conference that Taiwan is engaged in "intelligence theft, infiltration, and sabotage activities." He accused Taipei of escalating cross-strait confrontation and undermining relations, calling it a clear display of their "pro-Taiwan independence stance, their stubbornness, confrontational mindset, and refusal to change course."

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This fully exposes their pro-Taiwan independence stance, their stubbornness, confrontational mindset, and refusal to change course.

"We strongly condemn this and will resolutely take countermeasures," Chen added, without providing specific details. He emphasized that Chinese citizens and organizations have a responsibility to safeguard national security. He also warned that individuals providing intelligence to Taiwan's agencies would face legal consequences.

Taiwan indicated its new intelligence-gathering program follows similar initiatives by agencies in countries like the U.S., Britain, and Israel. China has employed comparable tactics, including announcing an email address in 2024 for reporting crimes by Taiwanese "separatists." Taiwan maintains its rejection of Beijing's sovereignty claims, asserting that only its people can determine their future.

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We strongly condemn this and will resolutely take countermeasures.