A Taiwanese sergeant has been formally charged with allegedly photographing and divulging confidential defense information to China, according to prosecutors who made the announcement on Tuesday.
Beijing claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan and has intensified military and political pressures on the island in recent years.
The sergeant, identified by the surname Chen, was stationed at a navy training center and reportedly recruited by individuals involved in intelligence gathering for mainland China via messaging applications in 2022, stated the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office.
They further detailed that between April 2022 and February 2023, Chen used his mobile phone to photograph classified national defense data in Pingtung, Yilan, and other locations. The office’s statement indicated that he transmitted this information four times using Line and Telegram, earning NT$170,000 ($5,230) in illegal gains. Chen faces charges under the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces and the Anti-corruption Act.
Responding to the indictment, defense ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang emphasized that the military had collaborated with national security units on the investigation.
He highlighted the serious threat posed by infiltration from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), comparable to threats from missiles, aircraft, and naval vessels.
China maintains a consistent presence of warships, drones, and fighter jets near Taiwan, and earlier this year conducted military exercises following the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on May 20.
Lai, seen as a staunch defender of Taiwan’s sovereignty by Beijing, addressed soldiers at an air force base in Taichung city via pre-recorded footage for a military television program aired on Tuesday, cautioning them to remain vigilant.
“China’s infiltration and spying will not stop,” he said, dressed in military fatigues. “You must always be vigilant, pay attention to your own information security, and do not fall into traps.”
