The National Security Bureau correctly forecasted former Chinese President Jiang Zemin's (
Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) chief of staff, was responding to a newspaper report that the NSB failed to predict Jiang's voluntary relinquishment of his last major post at a plenum of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee on Sunday. The report claimed that the failure signaled problems in Taiwan's China-related intelligence work.
"The report was not true," Su said, adding that Chen had been informed of the possibility of Jiang turning over the top People's Liberation Army post to incumbent President Hu Jintao (
Su said the Presidential Office has drafted various response plans based on the NSB forecast.
He further said the NSB has long excelled in China-related intelligence operations. "This is why our intelligence reports have consistently received high recognition from many of our intelligence partners," he added.
He acknowledged, however, that the NSB is now in a difficult situation.
"On the one hand, it must cope with the even tougher international situation. On the other, it has to deal with different domestic opinions following Taiwan's democratization," he said.
According to Su, Chen has many channels through which he gets information or intelligence about the latest political, military and social developments on China.
LOW RISK: Most nations do not extradite people accused of political crimes, and the UN says extradition can only happen if the act is a crime in both countries, an official said China yesterday issued wanted notices for two Taiwanese influencers, accusing them of committing “separatist acts” by criticizing Beijing, amid broadening concerns over China’s state-directed transnational repression. The Quanzhou Public Security Bureau in a notice posted online said police are offering a reward of up to 25,000 yuan (US$3,523) for information that could contribute to the investigation or apprehension of pro-Taiwanese independence YouTuber Wen Tzu-yu (溫子渝),who is known as Pa Chiung (八炯) online, and rapper Chen Po-yuan (陳柏源). Wen and Chen are suspected of spreading content that supported secession from China, slandered Chinese policies that benefit Taiwanese and discrimination against Chinese spouses of
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The US approved the possible sale to Taiwan of fighter jet spare and repair parts for US$330 million, the Pentagon said late yesterday, marking the first such potential transaction since US President Donald Trump took office in January. "The proposed sale will improve the recipient's capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness of the recipient's fleet of F-16, C-130," and other aircraft, the Pentagon said in a statement. Trump previously said that Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) has told him he would not invade Taiwan while the Republican leader is in office. The announcement of the possible arms
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