Taiwan's National Security Bureau is investigating whether criminal gangs used in attacks on critics of Beijing, including the recent assault on a comedian, were directed and funded by China's Communist Party, according to a Reuters report published by Daily Maverick.
Bureau director-general Tsai Ming-yen told reporters at parliament on Thursday that the local networks involved were mostly gangs or private investigation firms linked to organised crime, and that Taiwan's laws may need changing to tackle what he called transnational repression. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond.
Mr Tsai also said Chinese coast guard patrols east of Taiwan, which began in June, were becoming routine, and that Chinese militia fishing boats had appeared to the island's east and south-west. Taiwanese officials believe Beijing is practising for a possible blockade; China says its operations are lawful.
Source: Daily Maverick (Reuters)
