Taiwan plans to reinstate military judges to oversee Chinese espionage cases involving Taiwanese service members, President Lai Ching-te announced on Thursday. The number of individuals prosecuted for spying on behalf of Beijing has surged, with retired and active members of Taiwan’s military being the primary targets of Chinese infiltration efforts, according to official figures.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to assert control over the island. Taiwan, in turn, has accused China of employing “grey zone” tactics, including espionage, cyberattacks, and disinformation, to undermine Taiwan’s defenses.
Lai stated that there would be a review and amendment of the law “to reinstate the military trial system,” telling reporters after a national security meeting that “military judges will return to the front line.” He explained that military judges would work in coordination with prosecutorial and judicial agencies to handle criminal cases involving active-duty military personnel accused of offenses such as treason, aiding the enemy, leaking classified information, dereliction of duty, insubordination, and other military-related crimes.
Taiwan’s intelligence agency reported that 64 individuals were prosecuted for espionage in 2024, a significant increase from 48 in 2023 and just 10 in 2022. Retired and serving military personnel have been the main targets of Chinese espionage efforts, according to Taiwan’s National Security Bureau.
Taiwan disbanded its military court system after the 2013 death of a young corporal, Hung Chung-chiu, who died of heatstroke after allegedly being forced to exercise excessively as punishment for bringing a smartphone onto his base. His death occurred just days before the end of his mandatory military service.
Espionage has been a longstanding issue for both sides of the Taiwan Strait, but analysts have warned that it has become an even greater threat to Taiwan, which faces the looming danger of a Chinese invasion.
In recent years, China has increased the deployment of fighter jets and warships around Taiwan and has actively sought to isolate the island internationally by poaching its diplomatic allies and blocking it from participating in global forums.
