Taipei: The Executive Yuan has approved draft amendments that expand the legal definition of terrorist activities to include attacks on national critical infrastructure, major facilities, and core systems, as well as addressing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation. These proposed changes revise the Counter-Terrorism Financing Act, which would be renamed the "Counter-Terrorism Financing and Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation Act."

According to Focus Taiwan, the approved amendments will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. Executive Yuan Spokesperson Michelle Lee stated that the amendments incorporate counter-WMD proliferation measures to improve the legal framework. Additionally, the amendments propose establishing a review committee to enhance financial sanctions and suspicious transaction reporting mechanisms.

Premier Cho Jung-tai has instructed the Ministry of Justice to engage with legislative caucuses across party lines to expedite the amendment process. The Executive Yuan's written statement emphasized the legislative aim of preventing WMD proliferation financing and clarified the acts constituting financing behavior.

The proposal outlines revisions to the counter-terrorism and counter-WMD proliferation review committee's composition and operations, focusing on sanctioned individuals' designation and removal. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Ministry of Finance will join the committee due to the involvement of shipping and import-export activities in WMD proliferation cases.

Currently, the counter-terrorism financing review committee is led by the justice minister and includes senior officials from various ministries and the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The draft bill introduces new reporting obligations for financial institutions regarding asset freezes and suspected financing transactions related to terrorism or WMD proliferation.

The amendments propose lowering the threshold for financing specific terrorist activities from "clear knowledge" to "general intent" and include self-funded terrorist acts. Additionally, a new offense targets WMD proliferation by prohibiting trade with United Nations-sanctioned countries or regions.

The proposed law aims to penalize sanctions-evasion practices, such as concealing transaction details, disabling ship identification, and falsifying vessel records, with penalties of up to three years in prison or fines of up to NT$600,000 (US$18,973).