Taiwan has seen a “significant rise” in the number of individuals charged with suspicion of spying on behalf of China in recent years, according to new data released by the island’s security bureau, amid escalating intimidation by Beijing.

Taiwanese charged with suspicion of spying on behalf of China rose by a third to 64 people last year, the island's National Security Bureau said, adding most were current or retired soldiers. China has stepped up political and military pressure in recent years to back its claim that democratically governed Taiwan is its own territory.

Prosecutions relating to Chinese espionage have jumped in Taiwan in recent years, according to a new report by the country's National Security Bureau. It says China is seeking to infiltrate all sectors in Taiwan and trying to recruit sniper gangs and spies to carry out armed insurrection in the event of a Chinese invasion.