A new spy scandal rocks Taiwan: The ruling party expels Beijing's agents.

The Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party's Investigation Committee announced that it had expelled five party members involved in spying for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to maintain party discipline and state security.

According to a report by the Central News Agency, the investigation committee suspects that they were recruited by the Chinese spy agency and, upon their return to Taiwan, collected official secrets, including visits by the president and vice president to friendly countries.

Official Taiwanese data shows that the number of people accused of spying for the CCP has increased sharply in recent years. Retired and active Taiwanese military officers have become the primary targets of CCP infiltration operations.

Taiwan's State Security Department revealed that 64 people were accused of spying for the CCP this year, compared to 48 and 10 in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Among those charged in 2024 are 15 retired military officers and 28 active military officers, each carrying a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

In recent years, Chinese spies and activities have been exposed in various countries, including not only Chinese citizens but also officials from foreign governments and even members of Uyghur organizations.