China using 'legal gray zones' for espionage and transnational influence: Taiwanese judge

China has shifted its espionage and influence operations into what officials describe as "legal gray zones," prompting a senior Taiwanese judge to call for closer cooperation between Taiwan and the United States to counter Beijing's expanding transnational activities, according to The Taipei Times.

Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Hudson Institute's China Center in Washington, Taipei District Court National Security Division Judge Hsu Kai-hsieh said China's intelligence tactics have changed significantly over the past decade.

Shift from state secrets to everyday information

According to The Taipei Times, Hsu said Beijing is no longer focused solely on stealing highly classified military secrets. Instead, it is increasingly gathering lower-level operational information that can still offer strategic value.

He said Chinese operatives now seek details such as military catering arrangements, routine training schedules and other operational information, rather than concentrating only on weapons systems or radar technology.

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Hsu also noted that social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn have become low-cost tools for identifying and recruiting military personnel and government officials.

Broader infiltration networks

The judge said Chinese intelligence operations have evolved from targeting individual recruits to building wider and more resilient influence networks.

According to The Taipei Times, Beijing is increasingly using alumni associations, hometown groups and other community organisations to expand its influence while operating in areas that are difficult to prosecute under existing laws.

Concerns over China's new ethnic unity law

Hsu also expressed concern over China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, which came into effect on July 1.

He argued that the legislation enables Beijing to claim jurisdiction over individuals and organisations outside China by criminalising actions it considers harmful to "ethnic unity."

According to The Taipei Times, Hsu warned that the law effectively extends China's political reach beyond its borders and could be used to pressure overseas Chinese communities and critics living abroad.

With inputs from ANI