 "'Inciting separatist activities’: China offers bounties for info on Taiwan’s ‘psychological warfare’ unit")
Chinese authorities have offered rewards of around $1,400 for information on 18 people they claim are Taiwanese military psychological operations officers spreading “separatist” messages. The announcement came a day after Taiwan pledged to strengthen its defences.
China considers democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, despite strong objections from Taipei, and has stepped up both military and political pressure on the island.
The public security bureau in Xiamen, a Chinese city across the Taiwan Strait, said the 18 were core members of Taiwan military’s “psychological warfare unit” and published their pictures, names, and Taiwan identity card numbers. The bureau said the unit handled disinformation, intelligence gathering, psychological warfare, and propaganda broadcasts.
“For a long time they plotted to incite separatist activities,” the bureau said, adding that tips leading to their arrest could earn rewards of up to 10,000 yuan (around $1,402).
State-controlled Xinhua news agency added that the officers allegedly ran smear websites, created seditious games to encourage secession, produced fake video content, operated illegal radios, and manipulated public opinion using resources from “external forces.”
Taiwan rejects accusations
Taiwan’s defence ministry called the accusations an example of the “despotic and pig-headed thinking of an authoritarian regime … trying to divide our people, belittle our government, and conduct cognitive warfare.” It added that China repeatedly “exploits the free flow of information in our democratic society to fabricate personal data.”
“Defending national security and protecting the safety and wellbeing of the people is the unshirkable duty of every military officer and soldier,” the ministry said.
Experts note the wanted notice is largely symbolic, as Taiwanese intelligence officers do not openly travel to China, which has no legal authority over Taiwan.
Tensions rise after Taiwan vows stronger defence
On Friday, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te promised to enhance the island’s defences and urged China to abandon any plans to use force. Beijing responded angrily, labelling Lai a troublemaker and a “war-maker.”
This is not the first such case: in June, China issued a similar bounty for 20 people it accused of being Taiwanese military hackers. Taiwan dismissed the threat, saying it would not be intimidated.
 "Child brides in US: How America has legal loopholes permitting child marriages in 34 states")
 "Jaishankar meets US envoy-designate Gor in New Delhi as India-US work to ease trade tensions")
 "Pakistan: 11 killed as police, Islamists clash in Lahore during pro-Palestinian march")
 "Struggling with screen fatigue? Here’s how digital detox can help you reconnect with life")
 "Child brides in US: How America has legal loopholes permitting child marriages in 34 states")
 "Jaishankar meets US envoy-designate Gor in New Delhi as India-US work to ease trade tensions")
 "Pakistan: 11 killed as police, Islamists clash in Lahore during pro-Palestinian march")
 "Struggling with screen fatigue? Here’s how digital detox can help you reconnect with life")
