KICKBACKS:Chinese agencies are arranging intelligence-collecting visits to Taiwan, including ‘field research’ where academics lived in rented homes, an official said
Taipei Times
Date: Jan 15, 2018
By: Chung Li-hua and Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporter, with staff writer
China is using economic incentives to target 10 types of groups in Taiwan as part of its
Vice Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Ran Wanxiang takes part in a news conference in Beijing on Oct. 21 last year. Photo: CNA
“united front” tactics, an unnamed government official said, citing national security intelligence.
The official said the groups targeted for engagement are local townships, young people and students, Chinese spouses of Taiwanese, Aborigines, pro-China political parties and groups, temples, descendants of Chinese who retain roots in China, labor groups, farmers’ and fishermens’ associations, and military veterans.
The government had previously estimated that China spends at least NT$10 billion (US$337.8 million) per year enticing Taiwanese to join united front efforts, but they believe that there might be more “invisible funding.” [FULL STORY]
