Mainland China’s top spy agency vows to fight ‘Taiwan independence’ ahead of William Lai’s inauguration

Ministry of State Security issues second public warning this year to Taipei’s ‘separatist forces’ and pledges to expand support for reunification

It also promises to guard against ‘colour revolutions’ in article published just weeks before William Lai Ching-te takes office as Taiwanese leader

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Taiwanese president-elect William Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing has called a “stubborn separatist”, is expected to take office on May 20. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 5:39pm, 29 Apr 2024Updated: 7:18pm, 29 Apr 2024

Beijing’s top anti-spy agency vowed on Monday to fight “Taiwan independence” and expand public support for peaceful reunification.

Minister of State Security Chen Yixin said in a Monday article in the Study Times, a newspaper published by the Central Party School, that mainland China’s top intelligence agency would “resolutely fight any form of Taiwan independence moves, counter interference from foreign forces, and punish Taiwanese spies who act as the vanguard of ‘Taiwan independence’ in accordance with the law”.

“[We must] try our utmost to promote reunification, strengthen the power of patriotic and pro-unification forces, and broaden the public opinion base for peaceful reunification,” it said.

The article also called on Beijing’s secret service agencies to “help advance the reunification of China”.

Chen’s article, published just weeks before the inauguration of Taiwanese president-elect William Lai Ching-te, is the second time this year that Beijing’s top anti-spy body has issued a public warning to the island’s separatist forces.

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