Taiwan Monitors Chinese Activities Abroad Amid Rising Tensions

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) is closely monitoring actions taken by China abroad, particularly concerning Taiwanese nationals. NSB Director-General Tsai Ming-yen revealed that China has stationed personnel at its embassies in various democratic nations to oversee and potentially intimidate Taiwanese expatriates, businesspeople, and students. His remarks came during a session of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee on March 12, 2024.

Tsai confirmed that China dispatches between two to four officials experienced in Taiwan affairs to its foreign embassies. While he did not disclose specific countries, he assured lawmakers that Taiwanese individuals in these nations generally remain safe due to the strong legal frameworks in place against foreign harassment. He emphasized that security forces in these democracies would not tolerate threats to public safety or violations of diplomatic norms.

The potential misuse of international law enforcement resources was also a focus of the discussion. For instance, Tsai mentioned that it would be challenging for China to issue an Interpol “red notice” against DPP Legislator Puma Shen. Interpol maintains a legal committee tasked with scrutinizing requests to ensure that the system is not exploited for political purposes. Tsai highlighted that should China attempt to target Taiwanese through Interpol, Taiwan’s international partners would be alerted and respond proactively.

Concerns were raised by DPP Legislator Michelle Lin regarding Southeast Asian nations, like Thailand, which maintain better relations with China. Tsai stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively assessing these dynamics to determine how best to inform and protect Taiwanese citizens abroad.

Taiwan has engaged in nearly 100 bilateral meetings with national security officials from 45 countries this year alone. This extensive network of communication allows Taiwan to gain insights into global security concerns, particularly regarding the Indo-Pacific region. Tsai pointed out that this collaborative framework fosters a robust alliance among like-minded nations, enabling timely intelligence sharing.

Lawmakers expressed alarm over China’s recent sanctions against Shigeru Iwasaki, the former chief of staff of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, who has been vocal in support of Taiwan. Tsai commented that China often attempts to intimidate those who align with Taiwan, but historically, such actions tend to backfire, reinforcing international support for Taiwan.

He concluded that rather than yielding to Chinese pressure, friendly nations are likely to unite in denouncing aggressive actions, which threaten both human rights and regional stability. Taiwan’s proactive approach aims to safeguard its interests while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape shaped by China’s assertive foreign policy.