Taiwan probes crime links to China’s transnational repression — SkimNews
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- Taiwan National Security Bureau is probing organized crime groups that cooperate with Chinese efforts to carry out 'transnational repression', focusing on whether they are directed and funded by the Chinese Communist Party.
- Tsai Ming-yen, head of Taiwan's National Security Bureau, said criminal gangs and private investigation firms linked to organized crime are the primary local networks involved in attacks on political critics.
- China is accused by Taiwan of using militia fishing boats and Coast Guard vessels for routine 'law enforcement' patrols east of Taiwan, raising concerns about preparations for a maritime blockade.
- Denise Ho, a Hong Kong singer and activist, was attacked in Taipei in 2019 by a masked man who threw red paint, part of a pattern of assaults on China critics in Taiwan.
- Taiwan officials believe China is practicing for a possible maritime blockade using overlapping military, paramilitary, and civilian assets, particularly noting the unusual presence of militia boats near Taiwan’s east and southwest coasts.
Why it matters: Taiwan faces escalating hybrid threats that blur criminal and state actions, complicating legal responses. The use of organized crime proxies and maritime militia increases operational deniability for China while raising the risk of miscalculation, directly challenging Taiwan’s rule of law and security planning.
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