The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has proposed a legal amendment that would impose prison sentences of up to seven years on active-duty military personnel who swear allegiance to China.
The proposed amendment to Article 24 of the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces aims to counter China’s infiltration and sabotage efforts targeting Taiwan’s military. Under the amendment, any military personnel who express loyalty to China—whether through speech, actions, writings, images, or digital records—compromising national security would face imprisonment ranging from one to seven years.
The MND highlighted the growing concern over espionage cases in recent years, where military personnel have been recruited through financial incentives, investments, and gambling. Some have been coerced into pledging allegiance to China by signing statements or recording videos, which the ministry warns pose a serious risk to national security.
Following the legal notification and legislative process, the proposed amendments will be submitted to the Cabinet for review. The MND stressed that military personnel are constitutionally and legally obligated to remain loyal to Taiwan and protect its people. It reiterated that acts of treason by any service member will not only face public condemnation but also strict legal consequences.
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