Taiwan Bans Public Sector Use of DeepSeek over National Security Concerns
Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) announced on January 31 that Taiwan’s public sector workers would be banned from using DeepSeek, a recently released Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) model, due to concerns over potential data leaks to the Chinese government.
In a press release, MODA said DeepSeek AI is a Chinese Information and Communication Technology (ICT) product and warned that data leaks from its use could pose a national security risk.
The ban applies to employees of central and local government agencies, public schools, state-owned enterprises, and other semi-official organizations. MODA also extended the ban to individuals working on critical infrastructure projects and in government-endowed foundations.
MODA cited the 2019 Executive Yuan regulation, “Principles on Restricting the Use of Products That Endanger National Cyber Security,” which prohibits government agencies from using ICT products and services that may pose a national security risk.
Taiwan’s public sector ban on the Chinese chatbot follows similar moves by several governments worldwide.
On January 30, Italy’s data protection authority announced it had blocked DeepSeek, citing a lack of transparency in its handling of personal data.
Officials in the U.S. and Australia have also raised privacy concerns over the Chinese AI model.
Reference:
[1] Focus Taiwan
China Infiltrates Japan’s Okinawa in Preparation for Taiwan Invasion
China is believed to be sowing divisions in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture to facilitate an invasion of Taiwan, British newspaper The Telegraph reported on January 25.
Less than 750km from Taiwan, Okinawa hosts nearly 30,000 U.S. troops who would likely “play a pivotal role should Beijing order the invasion of Taiwan,” the report said.
To prevent U.S. intervention in a Taiwan invasion, China is carrying out a “silent invasion” of Okinawa through propaganda and diplomatic outreach, fostering local resentment toward the U.S. presence in the prefecture.
Beijing is also allegedly funding separatist movements in Okinawa, including the Ryukyu Independence Party led by Chosuke Yara. While Yara denied receiving Chinese funding, he argued that an independent Ryukyu would not have to fear a Chinese invasion or economic coercion.
The report further claims that China is “playing up economic problems” in Okinawa, Japan’s poorest prefecture, while amplifying anti-U.S. sentiment. Chinese state media tends to highlight crimes committed by U.S. military personnel in the region.
Additionally, Chinese officials allegedly approached ethnic Chinese residents in Okinawa to help establish an “underground [Chinese] police station,” similar to those found in other countries, but their efforts were reportedly rebuffed.
Beijing is also believed to be spreading propaganda about Okinawa within China, with videos circulating on Chinese social media falsely claiming that most Okinawans support independence.
Meanwhile, China has launched a “diplomatic charm offensive,” with senior Chinese officials visiting Okinawa multiple times over the past year. Notably, China’s consul general in Fukuoka, Yang Qingdong, visited the prefecture twice in six months.
Yang was previously a Chinese intelligence official and has held a post related to the administration of Chinese claims in the South China Sea, the report said.
“I’m absolutely sure the Chinese are already in Okinawa and are trying to influence public opinion and their elected officials,” The Telegraph quoted Japanese Conservative Party official Yoichi Shimada as saying.
References:
[1] The Telegraph
[2] Taipei Times
Taiwan Welcomes Rubio’s Statement Expressing Concern over China’s Coercion of Taiwan
In a press release on January 25, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks expressing the United States’ “serious concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan” and its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea.
On January 24, Secretary Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi clashed over Taiwan during a phone call.
Rubio told Wang that the second Trump administration would pursue a relationship with China “that advances U.S. interests and puts the American people first,” according to a U.S. Department of State readout.
“The secretary also stressed the United States’ commitment to our allies in the region and serious concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, a readout from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Rubio stated the U.S. does not support Taiwanese independence. However, such a statement was absent from the U.S. version of the readout.
Taiwan’s MOFA noted that China’s readout of the call once again contained multiple false statements about Taiwan.
“Our country [Taiwan] and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other,” MOFA emphasized, adding that “it has been an objective fact for a long time, as well as the status quo of the Taiwan Strait.”
The ministry also firmly rejected Wang’s claim that Taiwan “has been an integral part of Chinese territory since ancient times.”
Reaffirming the strong U.S.-Taiwan partnership, MOFA expressed Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Taiwan aims to enhance its defense capabilities and resilience through U.S. arms sales, military reforms, and efforts to bolster whole-of-society resilience, it said.
Additionally, Taiwan seeks to expand its security, economic, and trade partnership with the U.S., working together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region, MOFA added.
