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COORDINATION NEEDED TO CRACK DOWN ON CHINESE SPIES: OFFICIAL

ROC Central News Agency

2005-07-23 17:49:27

    Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Chinese criminals and spies entering Taiwan remain a problem that must be better addressed by coordinating all elements of law enforcement, a spokesman for the State Public Prosecutor General's Office under the Supreme Court said Friday.

    With the increase in cross-strait infiltrations -- by both legal and illegal means -- it is important that prosecution, investigation, police agencies and the Coast Guard Administration step up cooperation, the spokesman said.

    According to a National Security Council (NSC) official, information gathered by the council clearly shows that an increasing number of Chinese spies and criminals have entered Taiwan to develop their organizations and activities on the island to affect Taiwan's economy, social order and politics.

    Although it is much more difficult to trace those who have entered via legal means, the official, however, said that the recent cracking of several cases related to Chinese intelligence agents hidden in Taiwan is clear proof that the Investigation Bureau has been effective.

    Hsieh Lee-kung, a professor at Central Policy University, called for strengthened security measures by the government for visitors from China, such as requesting fingerprinting, at a time when Taiwan is preparing to open wider to Chinese tourists.

    President Chen Shui-bian warned earlier the same day that a larger number of Chinese intelligence agents and criminals have entered Taiwan and have conspired with domestic criminal rings, posing serious threats to domestic security.

    Chen said that they were as dangerous as terrorists hidden in Taiwan and claimed that many of them were former military servicemen and public security officers in China -- making their involvement with local gangsters even more problematic for public order and national security in Taiwan.

    The president demanded that the NSC cooperate with the police, and investigation and prosecution authorities to form a task force and round up Chinese organized criminal groups, especially spies who have penetrated Taiwan's political and military sectors.

    The president made the comments after hearing a briefing by NSC officials in a top-level meeting at the Presidential Office. Vice President Annette Lu, NSC Secretary-General Chiou I-jen and Minister of the Interior Su Jia-chyuan also took part in the meeting.

(By Flor Wang)

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