Taiwan Cracks Down on Espionage as China Expands Gray-Zone Pressure| Taiwan Talks EP760

A recent espionage case involving active-duty military personnel has renewed concerns about internal security vulnerabilities in Taiwan. While the investigation is ongoing, the case highlights how modern infiltration rarely relies on a single actor, instead operating through overlapping roles spanning military access, media influence and information networks. Often described as a “fifth column,” these internal risks raise difficult questions for a democratic society under sustained external pressure. How can Taiwan deter infiltration without undermining civil liberties? In this episode, we examine the evolving nature of fifth-column risks, proposed national security law amendments, gray-zone pressure from China, and how Taiwan can strengthen democratic resilience while preserving openness and rule of law.

*Recorded on January 22, 2026 at 2:30pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host: Ethan Liu
Producer: Chinyeh Chiang

Our guests:

Lai I-chung
Prospect Foundation President
Shen Ming-shih
Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) Research Fellow

Chapters:
00:00:00 – Taiwan Uncovers More China Espionage Cases
00:01:43 – Is Taiwan Under Threat From a ‘Fifth Column’?
00:09:28 – Taipei Debates National Security Law
00:16:40 – Taiwan Faces Sustained Pressure from Beijing




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