BACK IN FASHION:A shelved counterintelligence bill should not be opposed over fears that it would allow the government to censor free speech, a DPP legislator said
Taipei Times
Date: Mar 14, 2017
By: Chen Wei-han / Staff reporter
Amid reports of an increase in Chinese espionage activities, the Democratic Progressive
Left to right, Democratic Progressive Party legislators Lo Chih-cheng, Chen Ming-wen and Chuang Jui-hsiung call on the government to enact counterespionage legislation at a news conference held at the legislature in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Huang Yao-cheng, Taipei Times
Party (DPP) caucus yesterday backed a mothballed counterintelligence bill, with lawmakers saying that an oversight mechanism would be introduced to ease concerns that it would give national security agencies too much power and endanger human rights.
New counterintelligence legislation is urgent because all aspects of society — including the military, government and civilian sectors — have been infiltrated by Chinese spies, DDP Legislator Chen Ming-wen (陳明文) said.
According to a national security source, about 5,000 people in Taiwan are spying for China, DPP Legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) said, adding that the nation should be alarmed by this degree of infiltration and support counterintelligence legislation.
[FULL STORY]
