Mr Kao is the highest-ranking veteran of Taiwan’s armed forces to have been accused of spying for China, but he is not the first. In January another group of veterans was indicted for allegedly sending photos and maps of America’s de facto embassy in Taipei and of Taiwanese military bases to Chinese agents.

The tension between China and Taiwan is at its highest. In China's eyes, Taiwan is a breakaway province that they need to reconquer. However, Taiwan sees itself as its own independent state from China.

Taiwan has sent officials to Washington to discuss possible U.S. tariffs by President Donald Trump, and has made preparations should they be imposed, Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei said on Saturday.

Taiwan’s government will soon look at whether it needs to help its domestic industry over threats by President Donald Trump to put tariffs on semiconductors, Premier Cho Jung-tai said on Wednesday.