China on Wednesday condemned Taiwan’s launch of a website encouraging Chinese citizens to share intelligence with Taipei, warned that it would take “firm countermeasures” and accused the island’s authorities of stoking cross-Strait tensions.The warning came after Taiwan’s National Security Bureau launched an online platform on Sunday. The site is designed to provide what Taipei describes as a secure channel for Chinese citizens wishing to exchange information with Taiwanese authorities.According to Reuters, while speaking at a regular press conference in Beijing, Chen Binhua, spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, accused Taiwan of using the initiative to undermine relations across the Taiwan Strait.He added that Taiwan is engaging in intelligence theft, infiltration and sabotage activities, escalating the cross-Strait confrontation and undermining cross-Strait relations.“This fully exposes their pro-Taiwan independence stance, stubbornness, confrontational mentality, and refusal to change course,” Chen said, criticizing the move, adding: “We strongly condemn this and will firmly take countermeasures.”
No further details were provided about the nature of the proposed measures.Taiwan’s National Security Service revealed the site amid what it described as increased interest from Chinese citizens seeking to provide information to Taiwanese authorities. Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, the agency previously said: “As a result, an increasing number of individuals have contacted relevant agencies in Taiwan, wishing to provide various types of information.”The office said economic challenges and stricter political controls in China had contributed to increased public discontent.“In recent years, the Chinese economy has faced increasing difficulties, while political control has remained ‘tight’.”According to the National Security Service, the platform aims to expand Taiwan’s intelligence sources and track practices adopted by intelligence agencies in countries such as the United States, Britain and Israel.As part of the launch, the site showcased an AI-generated promotional video showing a Chinese government employee feeling disillusioned after witnessing his colleagues being investigated. The video concludes with the character deciding to call Taiwan and declaring that “now is the time for change.”China and Taiwan have long accused each other of espionage, with Taipei in recent years reporting a rise in cases related to alleged Chinese intelligence activities.
Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly criticized any measures it sees as a challenge to that position.The dispute comes a year after China introduced its own reporting mechanism, calling on the public to provide information about alleged crimes committed by what it called Taiwanese “separatists.”The Taiwan government continues to reject Beijing’s claims to sovereignty, stressing that the island’s future can only be decided by its people.