Taiwan Presidential Office. (Chen Bozhou / Dajiyuan)
[People News] On Monday (14th), Taipei time, German senior journalist Zhou Jinheng (Jürgen Kremb) released a research report focusing on the Chinese Communist intelligence agency, estimating that the number of Chinese Communist spies operating in Taiwan could be between 50,000 and 100,000. This figure is significantly higher than the estimates previously provided by Taiwanese officials or relevant experts.
According to reports from Radio Free Asia, Zhou Jinheng is a German journalist who has worked in Beijing while employed by the Frankfurt Review and Der Spiegel. He is fluent in Chinese, and his journalistic works often focus on Asia and China, including a book centered on Wei Jingsheng. Currently, Zhou Jinheng is in Taiwan for academic research, with his study centered on the Chinese Communist intelligence agency. His report is titled "Spy War: How the Chinese Intelligence Agency Infiltrates Taiwan - Also Discussing Implications for Europe," and Monday marked the release event for this research.
The most striking aspect of Zhou Jinheng's report is his estimate that the personnel deployed by the Chinese intelligence agency in Taiwan could range from 50,000 to 100,000. While he acknowledges that this figure is challenging to determine, he argues that it is a significant underestimation compared to the approximately 5,000 estimated by Taiwan's National Security Bureau.
Zhou Jinheng noted that the 'spies' he mentioned come in various forms, including agents sent by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to infiltrate Taiwan, local informants, sources of information, and others who provide intelligence. The individuals he refers to do not necessarily have formal roles; they are simply ordinary Taiwanese willing to work for the CCP under certain circumstances. This is akin to the concept of 'throwaway agents' used in espionage operations in Russia.
In his report, Zhou Jinheng emphasized that the CCP's intelligence agencies frequently employ 'economic dependence as a weapon,' which has proven to be highly effective. Through Taiwanese businesses, Beijing can directly apply pressure on the Taiwanese government.
Zhou Jinheng also highlighted the alarming number of espionage cases uncovered within Taiwan's military sector. Both active and retired military personnel have been recruited by the CCP, primarily to gather information on U.S. weapon systems or defense programs. Initial contacts often occur through social media platforms like 'Telegram' or 'LinkedIn' in seemingly innocuous ways, which then evolve into long-term espionage relationships through targeted bribery or the exploitation of personal vulnerabilities.
The report further cites information from sources within China, revealing that there are approximately 180,000 intelligence personnel in China dedicated solely to handling Taiwan-related affairs, encompassing agencies such as the United Front Work Department, the Ministry of State Security, and the Public Security Bureau.
Zhou Jinheng also disclosed that he had been followed by Chinese spies even while in Taiwan. This incident occurred last June when he visited Alishan with friends. An Asian woman, seemingly in her thirties, approached him to ask for help taking a photo. After chatting briefly, he noticed that she spoke with a northern Chinese accent, although she claimed to be a Chinese national residing in Denmark.
Zhou Jinheng mentioned that he felt something was amiss at that moment. Later, while walking back to his hotel, he observed the woman making a phone call. This action triggered memories of his past experiences being interrogated and threatened by Chinese officials, as he noted, 'These individuals often make calls to consult their superiors when they are unsure of their next move.' Two days later, upon returning to Taipei, Zhou reported the incident directly to the Investigation Bureau. Agents subsequently went to Alishan to review surveillance footage, which showed her hiding behind a car and watching him from a street corner, confirming her identity as a Chinese spy. Unfortunately, by the time this was verified, the female spy had already exited Taiwan. △
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