The perception that Taiwan is "under attack from within" due to "traitors" in various sectors is a highly charged and complex issue that reflects deep divisions within Taiwanese society, often exacerbated by China's long-standing "united front" strategy. It's crucial to understand the different perspectives and the specific allegations that fuel this sentiment.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its supporters frequently voice concerns about internal infiltration and influence operations by Beijing. These concerns are not entirely unfounded, as evidenced by:

1. Espionage and Infiltration in the Armed Forces:

• Recent Cases: There have been numerous documented cases of active-duty and retired military personnel being prosecuted for espionage on behalf of China. Intelligence officials report a significant increase in such cases, with the CCP reportedly shifting its objectives from just intelligence gathering to cognitive warfare – including pressuring personnel to pledge allegiance to Beijing or create surrender videos.

• Vulnerability: The military is a primary target for Chinese infiltration due to its access to sensitive information and its critical role in Taiwan's defense. The aim is not only to gather intelligence but also to sow distrust, demoralize troops, and potentially create internal networks for subversion during a conflict.

• "Cognitive Warfare": This involves psychological operations designed to undermine Taiwanese national identity and resolve. The fear is that some elements within the military, particularly those with strong historical ties to mainland China or economic incentives, could be susceptible.

2. Politicians and Political Influence:

• KMT's Stance and Cross-Strait Engagements: The Kuomintang (KMT) maintains a platform that advocates for closer economic and cultural ties with mainland China, adhering to the "1992 Consensus" (which acknowledges "one China" but with differing interpretations). While the KMT denies being "pro-China" or "selling out Taiwan," their interactions with Chinese officials are often viewed with suspicion by the DPP and its supporters, who accuse them of being too accommodating to Beijing's agenda.

• Legislative Actions: The recent legislative reforms pushed by the KMT-TPP majority, which expanded parliamentary powers, were heavily criticized by the DPP and civil society as undermining Taiwan's constitutional order and potentially weakening the executive branch, making it more susceptible to external influence. Critics also point to opposition efforts to cut or freeze defense budgets as detrimental to national security.

• "United Front" Tactics: Beijing's "united front" work explicitly aims to influence Taiwanese politics, media, and public opinion to promote eventual unification. This involves cultivating relationships with politicians, business leaders, and cultural figures.

3. Businesspeople (Taishang):

• Economic Interdependence: Many Taiwanese businesspeople ("Taishang") have invested heavily in mainland China over the past few decades, becoming deeply integrated into the Chinese economy. This economic reliance creates a powerful lobby that often advocates for closer cross-strait ties to protect their investments and business interests.

• Political Leverage: Beijing has historically used economic incentives and disincentives to influence Taishang, sometimes pressuring them to support pro-unification candidates or policies. While many Taishang may be apolitical, their economic activities can inadvertently serve Beijing's strategic goals. However, it's also worth noting that recent cross-strait tensions and China's economic woes have led to some Taishang reducing their investments in China and looking elsewhere.

4. Students and Generational Divides:

• "Natural Unification Faction": There's a concern, particularly among the older generation and DPP supporters, that younger Taiwanese, especially those whose families have strong mainland roots or who consume Chinese media, might be more susceptible to Beijing's narratives or less emotionally attached to a distinct Taiwanese identity. Some articles suggest that platforms like TikTok could be influencing younger Taiwanese towards more pro-China views.

• Pro-Unification Groups: While a minority, there are student groups and individuals who genuinely support unification with China, often driven by a Chinese nationalist identity passed down from their parents or grandparents who arrived in Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War.

• Academic Exchanges: China actively promotes academic and cultural exchanges, which the DPP government monitors closely for potential influence operations.

5. Family Background and Identity:

• "Waishengren" vs. "Benshengren": The historical divide between "waishengren" (those who came from mainland China with the KMT after 1949) and "benshengren" (those whose families were in Taiwan before 1949) still plays a role in Taiwanese identity and political alignment. While this distinction has blurred over generations, descendants of mainland immigrants are sometimes perceived as more susceptible to pro-China sentiments, even if their primary loyalty is to Taiwan.

Nuance and Counterarguments:

It's important to add nuance to the "traitors from within" narrative:

• Legitimate Political Differences: The KMT and TPP genuinely believe their policies are in Taiwan's best interest, even if they involve engaging with China. They argue that dialogue and economic ties are crucial for peace and prosperity, and that the DPP's "anti-China" stance is confrontational and dangerous. The recent failure of the mass recall efforts suggests that a significant portion of the Taiwanese public does not view the targeted KMT lawmakers as "traitors," but rather as legitimate opposition voices.

• Taiwanese Identity is Strong: Despite Chinese pressure, surveys consistently show that an overwhelming majority of Taiwanese identify as "Taiwanese" rather than "Chinese," and reject unification under Beijing's terms. This strong sense of national identity acts as a powerful bulwark against internal subversion.

• Democratic Debate: The intense political debates, protests, and recall campaigns, while sometimes chaotic, are also a sign of a vibrant and functioning democracy. They demonstrate that Taiwanese citizens are engaged and willing to challenge perceived threats to their democratic system.

• Active Counter-Infiltration Efforts: Taiwan's government is highly aware of China's infiltration efforts and has implemented stricter national security laws, increased scrutiny of cross-strait exchanges, and actively prosecutes espionage cases.

Conclusion:

The concern about "traitors from within" in Taiwan is a reflection of Beijing's pervasive "united front" strategy, which seeks to influence Taiwanese society at multiple levels to achieve its political objectives without military force. While there are undeniable instances of Chinese infiltration and influence, particularly in the military and political spheres, it's crucial to distinguish between genuine acts of espionage or disloyalty and legitimate political disagreements within a democratic system.

The ongoing struggle highlights Taiwan's vulnerability to internal divisions that China seeks to exploit. However, it also showcases the resilience of Taiwan's democracy and the strong commitment of the majority of its people to safeguarding their sovereignty and democratic way of life. The challenge for Taiwan is to manage these internal fissures while presenting a united front against external coercion.