00:00Up to seven years for pledging allegiance to the enemy, up to ten for failing to carry out one's duties and surrendering.
00:06These are just some of the amendments Taiwan's cabinet announced today to combat enemy infiltration of Taiwan's armed forces.
00:11This time, the law has improved the law and the law and the law and the law and the law and the law and the law and the law and the law.
00:28Earlier this year, President Lai Ching-de led a national security meeting where the government identified key national security threats and proposed numerous countermeasures.
00:35The cabinet says these new amendments are in line with these goals.
00:53And the proposed penalties show just how harshly the administration sees these crimes.
00:58Pledging loyalty to the enemy, such as promising to not fight against China in an invasion, would now lead to up to seven years in jail.
01:05Surrendering to the enemy, three to ten years in jail.
01:07Conspiring to do so, up to five years.
01:10And retired personnel convicted would lose their benefits and pensions.
01:13These proposed amendments follow a jump in spying cases these recent years.
01:28The Mainland Affairs Council reported in November that the number of cases doubled from 2023 to 2024 and increased six-fold from the year prior to that.
01:36The plan now is for the cabinet to send the proposal to lawmakers to vote on.
01:40Some opposition lawmakers have already expressed concerns, saying the new laws could be used to restrict freedom of speech.
01:47But those in the ruling party say the main focus is ensuring national security.
01:51John Tsu and Larry Siano for Taiwan Plus.
Comments