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New Delhi: Taiwan’s spy agency National Security Bureau has launched a new website that allows Chinese nationals to send intelligence related tips to Taiwan’s security authorities, according to official statements and reports.
The new online platform, according to the statement, would give a secure channel to those who want to share information, including Chinese nationals. It aims to increase the sources of information amid increasing security threats in the Taiwan Strait region.
The website encourages anonymous submissions. It also includes promotional materials encouraging people to report any information about activities they think need to be reported to authorities.
China and Taiwan have always traded accusations of spying against each other. In recent times, Taiwan has reported increased intelligence activity of China which include cyber attacks and influence operations against the Taiwanese government.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province of its and does not exclude the use of force to bring it back. Taiwan considers itself a separate nation that can decide its destiny itself.
The agency's representatives said the move reflects their efforts to contact people who live in mainland China and are ready to provide information. These contacts are associated with economic pressure and tight political controls in the country.
The intelligence agency also added that similar efforts were made by foreign intelligence services including the US, UK and Israel.
In recent years, China has operated several reporting sites aimed at detecting people who support what it considers to be illegal actions such as attempts to split China into two. Both sides appear to employ digital means in their competition.
According to officials, the website is not available within mainland China but can be accessed using certain technologies.
