China has announced it will take countermeasures in response to a new Taiwan government website for Chinese nationals to report intelligence tips. The website, which was unveiled on Sunday, is seen as a secure channel for people who are fed up with China’s system and want change.

China’s Response

Speaking at a regular news conference in Beijing, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said Taiwan was engaging in ‘intelligence theft, infiltration, and sabotage activities, escalating cross-strait confrontation and undermining cross-strait relations.’ Chen added that China strongly condemns this and will resolutely take countermeasures, although he did not provide details.

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau said its new intelligence-gathering program was following the lead of agencies in countries such as the U.S., Britain, and Israel. The website is blocked in China, but many Chinese use VPNs to access other blocked sites such as Western social media and search engines.

Taiwan’s Stance

Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future. The new website is part of Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its national security and counter China’s espionage activities.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.