Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/12/29
By: Wang Chen-chung and Elaine Hou
Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) A draft amendment to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Veterans Assistance Act,
Lee Wen-chung (李文忠), deputy head of the Veterans Affairs Council (VAC). (CNA file photo)
which is aimed at preventing Taiwanese retired military personnel from spying for foreign nations, passed its first reading in the Legislature on Thursday.
According to the amendment to Article 32 of the law, retired Taiwanese military personnel caught trying to breach national security, leak classified information or spy for other nations will permanently lose their subsidies, discounts for medical services, and preferential treatment in the areas of employment and education.
The amendment, which cleared the legislative Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, is aimed primarily at preventing retired military officers from being lured into spying for China or providing confidential information to Beijing.
Currently, Article 32 of the ROC Veterans Assistance Act stipulates that only retired military personnel sentenced for rebellion, treason, corruption, or homicide, shall be permanently deprived of all the privileges and benefits covered by the act. [FULL STORY]
