Taiwan rejects Chinese bounty targeting its psychological operations unit

ISTANBUL

Taipei on Wednesday dismissed China’s announcement of a bounty targeting Taiwan’s military psychological operations officers, calling it an act of “cognitive warfare,” according to Focus Taiwan.

Tsai Ming-yen, the head of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB), said Beijing issued the notices shortly after the island’s National Day on Oct. 10 as part of its ongoing “coercion tactics.”

Tsai told lawmakers that information gathered about the listed officials could be used by China for “psychological warfare purposes.”

He said the bureau is coordinating with the Defense Ministry and other intelligence agencies to strengthen the “de-identification” process to protect the identities of personnel.

Chinese police in Xiamen, in the eastern Fujian Province, on Saturday offered rewards for tips on 18 individuals allegedly serving as officers in Taiwan’s Psychological Operations Battalion, accusing them of “inciting secession.”

According to the bureau, informants will receive a reward of 10,000 yuan ($1,405) for information leading to their identification.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, whereas Taipei insists on its independence.