In Taiwan, a group of retired military personnel has been accused of espionage on behalf of China.

The Taiwan Prosecutor's Office has charged seven retired officers with receiving funds from China, promoting Beijing's political interests, and forming militia groups to support Chinese troops during a potential invasion of the island.

This was reported by the publication Taipei Times, as conveyed by Ukrinform.

The suspects are accused of violating national security laws. During the investigation, they were found to possess photographs, maps, and diagrams of key radar stations, missile launch sites of the island's self-defense forces, and significant facilities in the capital of Taiwan, Taipei.

The leader of the group is identified as 62-year-old Chu Huny, a graduate of the Taiwan Army Academy, who moved to the mainland after retiring from military service in 2019, where he was recruited by an officer of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA).

Chu agreed to establish a spy network in Taiwan and initiate political activities on the island aimed at advancing Beijing's interests.

To this end, he founded the "Alliance for Restoration" party, which adopted the slogan "Reviving the Chinese nation, peace and happiness for all people."

The prosecution believes that the Chinese intelligence services transferred over $90,000 to Chu to finance his subversive activities, including recruiting active and retired Taiwanese military personnel and promoting a pro-China political force.

Law enforcement officials claim that the suspects created spy networks and paramilitary groups that included snipers, as well as "assassination squads" to eliminate pro-Taiwan government officials and politicians during a potential PLA invasion.

The network established by the detained retired officers has recently been operating as a sleeper cell, awaiting an attack by the Chinese army on the island.

As reported by Ukrinform, the head of China, Xi Jinping, stated in his New Year's address on December 31 that the people of the mainland and the island are one family and that no country can stop the "reunification" of Taiwan with China.

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