TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Security Bureau celebrated its 70th anniversary on Friday along with the 25th annual graduation ceremony for intelligence agents completing training at the bureau.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) spoke at the event to congratulate Taiwan’s newest intelligence officers and urge them to work hard to safeguard the country, reported CNA. He said China is the fundamental threat facing Taiwan, just as it was when the NSB was first founded. 

During his remarks, Lai said he hopes the bureau will develop and implement cutting-edge technology for national security purposes. He wants Taiwan to make significant advances in AI, big data, and other emerging information technologies. 

Lai thanked the bureau for its diligence in protecting the country since it was established. However, he noted China’s efforts have ramped up in recent years, pointing to examples of Beijing’s efforts to bribe and manipulate gangs, and retired security officials, according to an NSB press release.

For these reasons, he urged the NSB to step up in its anti-infiltration work to mitigate the threat of communist espionage and supervision. The president encouraged officers to remain loyal, resist temptation, and stay true to the original aspirations that drove them to serve the country. 

The event was also attended by Secretary-General of the National Security Council Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), the current NSB Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥), and 10 former directors-general, per CNA. 

The NSB was initially founded in 1955 by a presidential order of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石). However, it remained a loose network of administrative groups and military units until 1994 when the NSB became a legal entity with its own offices under the National Security Council.