Taiwan ex-naval officer arrested on spying charge

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said a retired naval officer has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

A statement released by the ministry on Monday said Chinese intelligence made contact with Cmdr. Chang Chih-hsin through unidentified Taiwanese intermediaries.

The ministry denied media reports that Chang had leaked secretive submarine nautical charts or war plans to the Chinese.

The ministry said it was tipped off by informers. Authorities said they had investigated him even before his retirement, which newspaper reports said was in August.

Taiwan and China have spied on each other since the sides split amid civil war in 1949. Their espionage efforts have continued despite a marked decrease in tensions between them during the 4 ½-year administration of Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.