TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Security Bureau (NSB) released a report on Sunday warning of a surge in Chinese espionage cases in Taiwan.

The number of spy cases rose from three in 2021 to 15 last year, the NSB reported. A total of 64 individuals were prosecuted, compared to 48 in 2023.

The report identified active-duty and retired military personnel as primary targets of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) infiltration. Retired military members accounted for 23% of those prosecuted in 2024, while active-duty personnel made up 43%.

According to the NSB, the CCP uses local gangs, underground financial institutions, shell companies, and religious organizations to recruit individuals for espionage. Effective tactics include exploiting camaraderie among former colleagues to form infiltration networks and sponsoring religious activities to gain access to military personnel and government officials.

The report also warned that the CCP recruits gang members to form armed groups that could assist in potential military actions against Taiwan. Additionally, it organizes teams to collect intelligence on military facilities and foreign missions.

To counter these activities, the NSB said it is developing a comprehensive database of intelligence, military, and legal resources to better understand Chinese espionage in Taiwan. The bureau added that increased reporting by military personnel and citizens has significantly improved efforts to uncover infiltration activities.