Taiwan's NSB Launches Contact Window for Chinese Civilians; Scholars Call It Deterrence Amid Hostile Coexistence

(CNA reporters Chu Chien-ling and Lu Chia-jung, Taipei, June 15) Reactions from cross-strait scholars differ sharply over the National Security Bureau's (NSB) announcement yesterday of a newly established 'Contact Window for Chinese Civilians.' Chinese scholars claim it aims to 'fortify a nationwide national security defense line' to expose all forms of subversion. In contrast, Taiwanese scholars argue that, given the current state of 'hostile coexistence' across the strait, this is a common intelligence practice globally and serves as a form of deterrence.

On June 14, the NSB stated that, to widely collect intelligence on China's political, military, and economic developments, it has established the 'Contact Window for Chinese Civilians' by referencing practices of intelligence agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel. When Chinese civilians access the website, they are categorized based on whether they are located within mainland China or overseas, and must follow six security guidelines to complete their contact registration.

Prior to this, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) publicly released videos in January and February this year seeking intelligence, targeting Chinese officials and military personnel respectively.

Tsai Chi-ting, Director of the Center for China Studies at National Taiwan University, commented today on the launch of the 'Contact Window for Chinese Civilians,' stating that this is a common intelligence practice worldwide. Although the government's exact rationale remains unclear, such public initiatives are routine in intelligence operations. He added that to some extent, it serves as deterrence and information disruption—making the opposing side hesitate in decision-making due to fears of insider leaks, thereby increasing their strategic costs.

Hung Yao-nan, Director of the Cross-Strait Relations Research Center at Tamkang University, believes the current cross-strait relationship exists in a state of 'hostile coexistence'—antagonistic in politics and military affairs, yet coexisting at the civilian level. Both Taiwan and Beijing clearly understand this boundary. He noted that mainland China also operates websites for reporting 'Taiwan independence' activities, reflecting the same logic.

China's state-run Global Times reported today that Zhu Songling, Director of the Institute of Political Science and Professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Beijing Union University, labeled the move as 'intelligence infiltration operations.' Zhu urged mainland citizens to firmly establish an 'overall national security outlook' and 'fortify a nationwide national security defense line' to render all forms of infiltration, subversion, and sabotage invisible. (Edited by Chu Chien-ling / Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150615

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