Taiwan’s national security has been shaken by the revelation that a retired air force officer allegedly leaked sensitive military information to China over a span of four years.
Prosecutors in Taichung uncovered that former Air Force pilot Shih Chun-cheng and his junior officer Hsu Chan-cheng systematically disclosed classified documents, including Taiwan’s defense strategies against Chinese military incursions and details about the deployment of the Hsiung Feng III missile system.
To avoid detection, the two officers used gaming terminology as coded messages when passing information.
Investigators found that their espionage activities had been ongoing since 2019, posing a significant threat to national security.
The investigation revealed that Shih and Hsu were not acting alone.
They collaborated with intelligence operatives who set up a fake business to funnel illicit payments disguised as business transactions.
Shih, under the alias 'Jason Gao-fei,' was listed as a supervisor in the company, using fake trade deals to transfer funds.
He made frequent trips to China, where he allegedly handed over classified information in exchange for financial compensation.
Evidence suggests that the duo received at least NT$1.5 million for their actions.
Prosecutors have charged them with violating the National Security Act and the Anti-Corruption Act, and they now face potential prison sentences exceeding five years.
This case exposes a major vulnerability in Taiwan’s military intelligence network.
The growing concern is whether Taiwan's current counter-espionage measures are sufficient to prevent infiltration and ensure national security in the face of persistent external threats.