China Threatens Taiwan with Decisive Response Over New Intelligence Website

Beijing has threatened to take "counter and decisive measures" against Taiwan after Taipei announced the creation of a website designed to gather intelligence on China from Chinese citizens, according to the news agency Agence France-Presse.

Chinese authorities warned that anyone found providing Taiwan with intelligence information would face strict legal prosecution on charges of compromising national security.

This development follows Taiwan's announcement of an online platform inviting Chinese citizens to leak information, appealing to those who "share democratic values" to cooperate.

Taiwan's Intelligence Gathering Efforts

The Taiwan Affairs Office in China described Taiwan's actions as a blatant targeting of the mainland through intelligence theft and sabotage activities. The office stated that "these acts fuel hostility and harm relations across the Taiwan Strait."

China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to reclaim it. Meanwhile, Taipei accuses Beijing of employing espionage and infiltration to weaken its defenses.

Details of Taiwan's New Platform

The Taiwanese National Security Bureau introduced the platform through a one-minute artificial intelligence-generated video showing a Chinese government official witnessing the expulsion and interrogation of colleagues. The bureau said this reflects "an atmosphere of widespread suspicion under the Chinese authoritarian regime."

The bureau added that an "increasing number" of individuals have contacted Taiwanese entities expressing their willingness to provide various types of information.

It confirmed that reports submitted via the platform would be carefully examined, evaluated, and monitored using technology.

Historical Context of Taiwan-China Relations

Taiwan has been politically separate from mainland China since 1949, when the Nationalists, defeated by the Communists in the Chinese Civil War, retreated to the island.