Tsai Ming-yen warns: Cross-strait exchanges have political and united front objectives behind them
National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen warned that cross-strait exchanges are backed by political and united front objectives from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), aiming to divide Taiwan internally and weaken Taiwan-US cooperation. He also mentioned a two-week ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, anticipating regional stability. Tsai analyzed that the CCP's designated airspace reservation zone off Jiangsu and Zhejiang aims to test foreign military aircraft and probe US influence. Taiwan has established an inter-ministerial mechanism to counter 'gray zone harassment.'
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 11:08
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 12:00 (52 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 17:59 (173h 59m after Collected)
The Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee invited Tsai Ming-yen this morning to deliver a 'National Intelligence Work and National Security Bureau Business Report' and answer questions.
Regarding Cheng Li-wen's visit to China, Tsai Ming-yen stated before the meeting that the National Security Bureau does not comment on domestic political party activities. However, from the perspective of the CCP's united front strategy against Taiwan and national security, the CCP's strategy towards Taiwan employs a 'peace and pressure' approach. On one hand, it creates an atmosphere of military tension and 'gray zone' harassment across the Taiwan Strait, causing unease and pressure among the Taiwanese people. On the other hand, it promotes cross-strait exchange activities to push for a 'cross-strait peace' led by the CCP and to spread 'peace dividends.'
Tsai Ming-yen pointed out that the CCP aims to achieve two divisive objectives through this. First, to 'divide Taiwanese society internally,' the CCP attempts to boost the voice of pro-China factions and further obstruct Taiwan's arms purchases from the US. Second, to 'divide Taiwan-US cooperation,' the CCP tries to create the impression of 'peaceful reunification' through exchange activities, thereby weakening US intervention in the Taiwan Strait situation or its say on Taiwan Strait issues.
Tsai Ming-yen reminded that behind the CCP's promotion of various cross-strait exchange activities, there are still political and united front operational objectives.
Regarding the US-Iran conflict, Tsai Ming-yen mentioned that it is a key focus for the National Security Bureau's international intelligence exchanges. The US has recently adopted maximum pressure against Iran, deploying troops to the Middle East and engaging in diplomatic mediation through Pakistan. According to the latest information, both sides have reached a two-week ceasefire agreement, confirmed by the Iranian Foreign Minister, and regional shipping safety is expected to be relatively stable for the next two weeks.
Tsai Ming-yen emphasized that despite the current ceasefire, the National Security Bureau will strengthen international intelligence cooperation, closely assess the subsequent implementation of the peace plan, the attitude of conservative forces within Iran towards the agreement, and the follow-up military actions of surrounding pro-Iranian militia groups, to provide references for government decision-making.
Regarding the CCP's designation of an airspace reservation zone off Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Tsai Ming-yen analyzed that this time the scope is large and the duration long, from March 28 to May 6. Militarily, it is intended to test the airspace activities of foreign military aircraft (mainly US aircraft). The National Security Bureau observed that a US reconnaissance aircraft entered the reservation zone on April 6. Politically, as it was close to the Xi-Trump meeting, it carried the implication of probing US influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Concerning the CCP's 'gray zone harassment' against Taiwan, Tsai Ming-yen stated that the government has established an inter-ministerial coordination and notification mechanism, including early warning monitoring, real-time notification, maritime law enforcement, and rapid repair and judicial investigation after damage to infrastructure such as submarine cables. He mentioned that Taiwan's experience in maritime domain awareness has become a key topic for intelligence exchange with the international community.
When asked by the media about former legislator's assistant Chu Cheng-chi's involvement in a suspected spy case, Tsai Ming-yen responded that after the national security intelligence agencies initiated an investigation, relevant evidence has been transferred to judicial authorities. As the case has entered judicial proceedings, he could not disclose details. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 2026/04/08
Regarding Cheng Li-wen's visit to China, Tsai Ming-yen stated before the meeting that the National Security Bureau does not comment on domestic political party activities. However, from the perspective of the CCP's united front strategy against Taiwan and national security, the CCP's strategy towards Taiwan employs a 'peace and pressure' approach. On one hand, it creates an atmosphere of military tension and 'gray zone' harassment across the Taiwan Strait, causing unease and pressure among the Taiwanese people. On the other hand, it promotes cross-strait exchange activities to push for a 'cross-strait peace' led by the CCP and to spread 'peace dividends.'
Tsai Ming-yen pointed out that the CCP aims to achieve two divisive objectives through this. First, to 'divide Taiwanese society internally,' the CCP attempts to boost the voice of pro-China factions and further obstruct Taiwan's arms purchases from the US. Second, to 'divide Taiwan-US cooperation,' the CCP tries to create the impression of 'peaceful reunification' through exchange activities, thereby weakening US intervention in the Taiwan Strait situation or its say on Taiwan Strait issues.
Tsai Ming-yen reminded that behind the CCP's promotion of various cross-strait exchange activities, there are still political and united front operational objectives.
Regarding the US-Iran conflict, Tsai Ming-yen mentioned that it is a key focus for the National Security Bureau's international intelligence exchanges. The US has recently adopted maximum pressure against Iran, deploying troops to the Middle East and engaging in diplomatic mediation through Pakistan. According to the latest information, both sides have reached a two-week ceasefire agreement, confirmed by the Iranian Foreign Minister, and regional shipping safety is expected to be relatively stable for the next two weeks.
Tsai Ming-yen emphasized that despite the current ceasefire, the National Security Bureau will strengthen international intelligence cooperation, closely assess the subsequent implementation of the peace plan, the attitude of conservative forces within Iran towards the agreement, and the follow-up military actions of surrounding pro-Iranian militia groups, to provide references for government decision-making.
Regarding the CCP's designation of an airspace reservation zone off Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Tsai Ming-yen analyzed that this time the scope is large and the duration long, from March 28 to May 6. Militarily, it is intended to test the airspace activities of foreign military aircraft (mainly US aircraft). The National Security Bureau observed that a US reconnaissance aircraft entered the reservation zone on April 6. Politically, as it was close to the Xi-Trump meeting, it carried the implication of probing US influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Concerning the CCP's 'gray zone harassment' against Taiwan, Tsai Ming-yen stated that the government has established an inter-ministerial coordination and notification mechanism, including early warning monitoring, real-time notification, maritime law enforcement, and rapid repair and judicial investigation after damage to infrastructure such as submarine cables. He mentioned that Taiwan's experience in maritime domain awareness has become a key topic for intelligence exchange with the international community.
When asked by the media about former legislator's assistant Chu Cheng-chi's involvement in a suspected spy case, Tsai Ming-yen responded that after the national security intelligence agencies initiated an investigation, relevant evidence has been transferred to judicial authorities. As the case has entered judicial proceedings, he could not disclose details. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 2026/04/08
FAQ
What warning did National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen issue regarding cross-strait exchanges?
He warned that cross-strait exchanges have political and united front objectives from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), aiming to divide Taiwanese society internally and weaken Taiwan-US cooperation.
What is the latest development regarding the US-Iran conflict?
A two-week ceasefire agreement has been reached between the US and Iran, confirmed by the Iranian Foreign Minister, and regional shipping safety is expected to be relatively stable for the next two weeks.