TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China is stepping up spying on Taiwan, National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) said Wednesday during the interpellation at the Legislative Yuan, CNA reported.

Tsai said Beijing uses a wide network of helpers to collect information in Taiwan. However, he added, good teamwork between security and judicial agencies has prevented a lot of spying in recent years.

DPP Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting (陳冠廷) said Taiwan sees far more spy cases than Western countries. He noted they happen almost every month, while the US or the UK only see about one case a year.

Chen advised the NSB to stop counting cases and start making full protection plans. He said all government agencies should follow clear steps to prevent infiltration.

Tsai answered that Taiwan’s partners abroad are impressed with how the NSB handles spy cases. He promised the bureau would keep working hard to block such threats.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) also warned that China is trying to interfere in Taiwan. He pointed to the recent KMT election of its chair, saying disinformation and online attacks show the need to defend every part of the system, CNA reported Wednesday.