Taiwan fears spies in SAR exodus

Taiwan will step up scrutiny of mainland Chinese with Hong Kong residency who seek to move to the island in a bid to counter spying or other illegal acts.

The decision comes as 3,883 Hongkongers moved to Taiwan in the first half of this year -- an 88 percent jump from over one year ago.

Of these, 3,161 have been allowed to stay permanently, up 116 percent from 1,464. The rest received student or work permits.

Taiwan has welcome Hongkongers after Beijing imposed the national security law on the SAR despite concerns over of espionage.

The new measures are aimed at "strengthening the management" of people from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau who have residency in either of the two Chinese-ruled cities and seek to settle in Taiwan, its Mainland Affairs Council said yesterday.

It aims to prevent them from "carrying out infiltration, united front, disturbance or spying activities," it said. The term "united front" refers to the Chinese Communist Party's United Front work department, which is in charge of coopting overseas Chinese and non-communists.

The order targets Hong Kong and Macau residents who are originally from the mainland China, or who are current or previous party, government or military officials. Applications from such people will be subject to cross-department review to help protect national security, it said.