China Targets 18 Taiwanese Officers, Accuses Them of ‘Separatist’ Propaganda After Lai’s Defense Pledge
Beijing has intensified its pressure on Taiwan by issuing arrest warrants and cash rewards for 18 Taiwanese military personnel accused of spreading “separatist” propaganda and conducting psychological warfare. The move follows Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te’s National Day pledge to strengthen the island’s air defense network and boost military readiness amid rising cross-strait tensions.
China Accuses Taiwan of ‘Psychological Warfare’
Authorities in the coastal Chinese city of Xiamen announced on Saturday that they had placed bounties of up to $1,400 for information leading to the arrest of 18 Taiwanese officers. The accused are alleged members of Taiwan’s psychological operations division, which Beijing claims is responsible for spreading disinformation, creating online games promoting independence, and producing anti-China videos.
Chinese police published the names, photographs, and identification numbers of the accused, describing them as the “core members” behind efforts to promote separatist ideology. According to Xiamen’s public security bureau, the officers had “long plotted to incite division” and “destabilize national unity.”
The announcement came just one day after President Lai unveiled Taiwan’s new “T-Dome” air defense network, a system designed to enhance protection against potential Chinese air attacks. Lai also reiterated his commitment to peace but urged Beijing to “abandon threats of force” and respect Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Taiwan Rejects Beijing’s Allegations
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry responded swiftly, calling China’s accusations “absurd” and “despotic.” Officials said the bounties were another example of Beijing’s ongoing “cognitive warfare” — a strategy designed to intimidate Taiwanese citizens and erode trust in their government.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s pig-headed thinking cannot shake the will of Taiwan’s people,” the ministry said in a statement. “These tactics are meant to divide and confuse, but they only strengthen our unity.”
Taiwanese authorities also emphasized that China’s legal system has no jurisdiction over Taiwan’s citizens. “This so-called wanted list has no practical effect,” an official added, noting that intelligence officers do not travel to mainland China and that such actions are largely symbolic.
Beijing Escalates Political Pressure
Beijing’s response to Lai’s National Day speech was swift and hostile. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun labeled Lai a “troublemaker, creator of danger, and war-maker,” while the Taiwan Affairs Office accused him of pushing a separatist agenda with foreign backing.
China’s state-run media amplified the rhetoric. The Global Times, a government-aligned newspaper, mocked Lai’s new air defense project, calling it “an expensive illusion” and warning that ordinary Taiwanese citizens would bear the financial burden. The tabloid also claimed Lai’s plans would do little to deter China’s military, which routinely conducts air and naval drills near the island.
Beijing continues to assert that Taiwan is part of its sovereign territory, despite the island’s independent government and democratic elections. In recent years, China has escalated military flyovers, cyberattacks, and political coercion aimed at isolating Taiwan internationally and undermining its defense capabilities.
Limited Impact but Strong Symbolism
While the bounties carry little real-world impact, analysts say they are part of a larger information warfare strategy designed to delegitimize Taiwan’s government and signal Beijing’s growing impatience. Similar bounties were issued in June, when China targeted 20 alleged Taiwanese military hackers — a move Taipei also dismissed as propaganda.
“This is psychological warfare on a national scale,” said political analyst Lin Yu-hsuan of Taipei University. “Beijing is using these tactics to influence public perception, intimidate Taiwan’s defense forces, and test the international response.”
Experts believe the latest move could further strain cross-strait relations, especially as both sides harden their political and military positions ahead of next year’s key diplomatic events.
Tensions Rise Amid US-China Trade Dispute
The flare-up between Beijing and Taipei comes against the backdrop of renewed trade tensions between China and the United States, Taiwan’s most important security ally.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese imports, escalating a months-long trade dispute triggered by Beijing’s export restrictions on rare-earth minerals — critical materials used in chipmaking and defense industries. Trump also expressed doubts about meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit but later said no final decision had been made.
Former American Chamber of Commerce chairman James Zimmerman criticized the situation, warning that “trade politics are putting people’s lives and economies at risk.” He added that the ongoing standoff signals to China that “the U.S. is becoming an unpredictable trading partner.”
Taiwan’s Security Relationship with the U.S.
Although Washington remains Taiwan’s principal defense partner, there are growing concerns about the reliability of U.S. support. Reports surfaced in September that Trump had paused $400 million in weapons aid to Taiwan, fueling speculation that the island could be used as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations with Beijing.
Analysts warn that such uncertainty could embolden China. “Beijing watches these moves closely,” said security expert Michael Green of Georgetown University. “If Taiwan’s main ally appears hesitant, it strengthens China’s hand and weakens regional deterrence.”
Global Implications and Outlook
China’s bounty announcement underscores how cross-strait tensions are increasingly intertwined with global politics — from U.S.-China economic rivalry to security concerns across the Indo-Pacific.
While Lai continues to advocate for dialogue, Beijing’s hardline approach leaves little room for compromise. The latest psychological warfare allegations, coupled with aggressive military posturing, suggest that relations between the two sides are set to worsen in the coming months.
For now, the wanted notice remains largely symbolic — but it highlights the dangerous intersection of information warfare, nationalism, and global trade tensions shaping East Asia’s future.