China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) criticized Beijing’s recent bounty for information on 18 alleged Taiwanese military psychological warfare officers, calling it a crude and inept act of cognitive warfare. The MND condemned this move as an attempt to undermine public morale and divide the populace, asserting it reflects the authoritarian mindset of the Chinese regime. The bounty announcement by Chinese authorities described these individuals as key members of a “psychological warfare unit” engaged in activities such as misinformation and propaganda against China.
While offering rewards for information, the Chinese authorities attempted to frame these officers as inciting separatist sentiment in Taiwan. The MND responded by stating that such disinformation campaigns have failed to achieve their intended effects, instead emphasizing Taiwan’s commitment to national security and the importance of military-civilian cooperation.
This bounty was seen as largely symbolic since Taiwanese intelligence members do not operate openly in China, and Taiwan rejects Beijing’s jurisdiction over its military personnel. The MND highlighted that China’s efforts are designed to disrupt Taiwan’s intelligence capabilities and undermine public confidence in its military.
Overall, the article emphasizes Taiwan’s strong stance against Beijing’s threats and its determination to uphold national security.
