In an effort to bolster national security, the Defense Ministry has recently conducted comprehensive checks on enlisted personnel to determine whether any hold Chinese Resident Identity Cards, residence permits, or related documents. Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said Thursday that three Coast Guard personnel were found to hold Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards.
The Ministry found 62 officers and soldiers who held Chinese residence permits. Taiwan’s regulations indicate that service members holding Chinese residence permits are barred from working in intelligence collection or other sensitive positions.
Kuan says the three individuals do not hold positions that permit access to sensitive information. They had obtained Chinese residence permits prior to joining the Coast Guard and the cards have since been cancelled in accordance with the law.
DPP Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) pointed out that Taiwan’s submarine cables, key infrastructure for the nation’s information and communications system, have been sabotaged multiple times in recent years. Since 2021, there have been more than 30 incidents, with the cost of repairs reaching tens of millions of NTD. Su called for amendments that would plug loopholes in the relevant laws and add disciplinary measures.
Kuan says the OAC will continue to strengthen its frontline law enforcement capabilities in response to China’s increasingly complex and hostile grey zone harassment tactics in Taiwan’s waters. She adds that they will coordinate closely with other ministries to ensure that the security of critical information and communications infrastructure is protected both militarily and legally.