Chinese criminals and spies entering Taiwan remain a problem that must be better addressed by coordinating all elements of law enforcement, a spokesman for the State Public Prosecutor General's Office under the Supreme Court said yesterday.
With the increase in cross-strait movements -- by both legal and illegal means -- it is important that prosecution, investigation, police agencies and the Coast Guard Administration step up cooperation, the spokesman said.
According to a National Security Council (NSC) official, information gathered by the council clearly shows that an increasing number of Chinese spies and criminals have entered Taiwan to develop their organizations and activities in the country influence Taiwan's economy, social order and politics.
Although it is much more difficult to trace those who have entered via legal means, the recent cracking of several cases related to Chinese intelligence agents hidden in Taiwan is proof that the Investigation Bureau has been effective, the official said.
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on Friday had warned that a large number of Chinese intelligence agents and criminals have entered Taiwan and have conspired with domestic criminal rings, posing serious threats to domestic security.
Chen said they were as dangerous as terrorists and claimed that many of them were former military servicemen and security officers in China, making their ties to organized crime even more porblematic.
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