Taiwan is investigating possible links between organised crime groups and China’s alleged efforts to intimidate political critics on the island, following an attack on a comedian who mocked Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Taiwan’s government has accused Beijing of being behind the incident, prompting security officials to examine whether local criminal networks are being used to carry out operations against people considered politically hostile by the Chinese government.
Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen disclosed the investigation on Thursday while speaking to reporters at parliament. He said the local networks involved in incidents such as the comedian’s attack were largely criminal gangs or private investigation companies connected to organised crime.
Tsai said the main concern was whether these groups were being instructed or financed by the Chinese Communist Party.
“The National Security Bureau is more concerned with whether anyone behind them has been directed and funded by the Chinese Communist Party. How to dismantle the entire criminal group and network is a key focus for us,” he said.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office had not immediately responded to a request for comment on the allegations. It had also not responded to previous questions about the attack on the comedian.
Taiwan, which governs itself but is claimed by Beijing as part of China, has repeatedly accused the Chinese government of using intimidation and other covert methods against Taiwanese people viewed as separatists or political opponents.
Other critics of China have also been targeted in Taiwan. Hong Kong singer and activist Denise Ho, for example, was attacked in Taipei in 2019 when a masked man threw red paint at her.
Tsai said Taiwan might need to amend its laws to strengthen its ability to respond to such activities.
“Comprehensively curbing the Chinese communists’ transnational repression in Taiwan’s democratic and rule-of-law society is also very important, and the legal framework for it has been lacking,” he said.
Taiwan’s Supreme Prosecutors Office also issued a warning on Thursday, urging the public to remain alert and avoid helping hostile foreign forces or being used as local collaborators.
Taiwan Raises Concerns Over China’s Maritime Activities
Beyond the alleged intimidation of political critics, Taiwan is also expressing concern over increasing Chinese activity around its surrounding waters.
Tsai said Chinese Coast Guard operations east of Taiwan, which Beijing describes as law-enforcement patrols, had become increasingly routine since they began in June. These activities frequently take place alongside Chinese research vessels.
He also highlighted the appearance of Chinese maritime militia boats to the east and southwest of Taiwan.
“Generally speaking, militia fishing boats are more commonly seen in the South China Sea, so the emergence of this situation around Taiwan is significant,” Tsai said.
The United States has also raised concerns about China’s activities near Taiwan. Earlier this month, the US State Department described Chinese operations off Taiwan’s east coast as “deeply destabilising”, saying they risk worsening regional tensions.
The comments followed a Reuters report about the first known sighting of a Chinese militia boat in those waters.
Taiwanese officials believe Beijing could be practising for a possible maritime blockade by combining the activities of its military, paramilitary forces and civilian vessels.
Such an approach could allow China to increase pressure on the island through several types of maritime operations.
Beijing, however, maintains that its activities off Taiwan’s east coast are legitimate because it considers the waters part of Chinese territory. Taiwan’s government strongly rejects China’s sovereignty claims.
The investigation into alleged organised crime links, alongside concerns about Chinese maritime operations, highlights the range of security challenges Taiwan says it faces as tensions with Beijing continue.
