The nation's intelligence and security leadership recently underwent a major reshuffle based on the motto "professionalism first."
Taiwan's intelligence and security sectors have long been criticized as the tools of those in power. Intelligence and security officials are also facing an ideological crisis, as they have failed to adjust to the DPP's assumption of office. Meanwhile, China is constantly trying to infiltrate and split the nation. It is, therefore, necessary to lend impetus to reform and strengthen the intelligence and security systems.
However, in order to carry out the much needed reforms, internal problems need to be solved first -- because whether or not these agencies can stay neutral and be fully supervised is an important indicator of the state of the nation's democratic development.
Self-adaptation on the part of intelligence and security officials is worthy of more attention. Some intelligence officials have mentioned that many of their agents have only a vague view of the nation's position.
To solve this, the agents must respect the nation's leadership, gain a clear picture of the direction of the nation's development and strengthen their belief in their duties -- which they should consider an honor to perform. They also have to accommodate themselves to the changes in their duties, to improve their understanding of Taiwan's ethnic groups and to overcome material desire and external temptation.
Given that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are still antagonists, Beijing will resort to every conceivable means to infiltrate our intelligence and security sectors and to draw our agents to its side.
It is the goal of all agents to bravely expose treason and hidden crimes in order to safeguard national security. Agents should never lose sight of such ideals. The leaders of the intelligence and security agencies should also take effective action in response to Beijing's efforts to recruit our agents.
We must realize that the Chinese government has constantly infiltrated Taiwan through illegal emigration in order to create an "internal revolution." Beijing also colludes with Taiwan's opposition camp and has frequently sung in accord with the nation's politicians who have a similar political stance. It has aggressively sought out Taiwanese businessmen and non-government figures to take posts at its United Front Work Department (
In addition, Beijing is "using business to trump politics" and has purposely aroused a hostile attitude so that it can take the initiative on cross-strait issues. As evident from history, China is very good at carrying out struggles through duplicitous tactics. It has never given up these tactics, as it has never stopped its "offense by the pen and threats by the sword."
Apart from its primary goal of targeting Taiwan's national leaders, it has further roped in Tai-wanese from all sides in order to divide us. It has also tried to win over Taiwan's businessmen and disaffected politicians, hoping to find a breach through which to infiltrate the nation.
Taiwan's intelligence and security leaders should have a sense of crisis -- as they devise clear work descriptions and internal regulations so that they can put intelligence and security operations in order. Only then will Taiwan be able to guarantee its national security and social stability -- a guarantee that is needed to set its people's minds at rest.
Trong Chai is a DPP legislator and chairman of Formosa TV.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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