Taiwan issues up to 13 years of prison sentences to 8 military officers for spying for China

The Taiwan High Court sentenced eight Taiwanese military officers on charges of spying for China in exchange for financial gain.

The prison sentence of these officers ranges from 18 months to 13 years, making it one of Taiwan's largest espionage cases in past years.

According to the experts, this case reflects a shift in China's espionage tactics in Taiwan.

In a statement, the court said that the defendants were "willing to collect intelligence for China that caused the leak of important secrets" and that "they were seduced by money."

Chen Yuxin, who fled to China, was found to have contacted and recruited the defendants at key military sites to create a spy network for China.

Timothy Heath, a senior international defense researcher with the RAND Corporation, told VOA in an email, "The impact could have been severe if Taiwan's authorities did not stop the espionage and defection of military assets like a helicopter in time.

"It is demoralizing to read of Taiwan soldiers voluntarily making videos that advertise their willingness to surrender to China," he said.

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Moreover, these military officers were also accused of planning to fly a CH-47 Chinook military helicopter to a Chinese aircraft carrier in the Taiwan Strait and of shooting a video, showing that they would surrender to Beijing in the event of war, Taiwan-based Central News Agency reported.

Reportedly, China has used virtual currency to pay these defendants, as reported by Bloomberg.

Earlier this week, Taiwan's cabinet announced to increase defence spending by 7.7 per cent to USD 20.25 billion in 2025.

China-Taiwan dispute

China has claimed democratic Taiwan as its territory and has increased its military presence and political pressure in the Taiwan region. Since then, Taiwan has tracked several Chinese military aircraft across its region regularly.

Other incidents of spying

Last month, a Taiwanese sergeant, who worked at a navy training centre was indicted for allegedly taking photographs and leaking confidential defense information to China.

In June, the court upheld the sentences given to two retired Taiwanese Air Force officers for helping or attempting to help China in its move to recruit intelligence assets in Taiwan.

(With inputs from agencies)