Washington: A former U.S. naval intelligence chief has urged Washington to assist Taiwan in upgrading its classified clearance system amid increasing threats from China. Mike Studeman, former commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence and a retired rear admiral, emphasized the need for Taiwan to strengthen its core defenses against internal threats during a Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) hearing.

According to Focus Taiwan, Studeman highlighted that decades of China's political warfare have created vulnerabilities within Taiwan that China could exploit in case of an attempted takeover. He noted that Beijing's efforts aim to isolate Taiwan internationally and weaken its domestic support for independence. The strategies involve propaganda, military maneuvers, and manipulation of political entities, among others.

Studeman suggested that the U.S. could aid Taiwan by reducing its international isolation, encouraging increased defense spending, and enhancing cooperation on cybersecurity. He proposed the upgrade of Taiwan's classified clearance system and the adoption of advanced insider threat technologies as crucial steps.

The former intelligence officer also advocated for stronger coordination between Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs and U.S. cybersecurity agencies to bolster Taiwan's critical infrastructure. Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Fan Yun, who participated in the hearing, reported a significant rise in espionage cases in Taiwan and stressed the importance of U.S. support for Taiwan's security.

The CECC hearing, titled "Stand with Taiwan: Countering the PRC's Political Warfare and Transnational Repression," also featured insights from Peter Mattis, president of the Jamestown Foundation, and Audrye Wong, assistant professor at the University of Southern California.