China accused by Taiwan of stepping up spy operations

Beijing : China is accused of increasing its secret operations in Taiwan, after the island elected the independence-leaning Tsai Ing-wen as president last year.

Wang Ting-yu, chairman of the defence committee in Taiwan’s parliament, said Chinese spies were masquerading as academics or business people.

He claimed Beijing was trying to sow chaos within Taiwanese society.

China considers the self-ruling island territory that must be reunited with the mainland – by force if necessary.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Wang said intelligence reports suggest China spends millions of dollars on its Taiwan operations.

He said Chinese spies tried to recruit agents within Taiwan’s corridors of power.

“Some get married into Taiwan, some pretend they are scholars, some pretend they are businessmen, and they immerse themselves into our society,” he said.

“They seduce and lure our military personnel and government officers into becoming their agents.”

Mr Wang said he could not disclose the source of his information.

Beijing has previously denied claims that it sends spies to Taiwan.