A Taiwanese soldier who went missing from Taiwan’s outlying island Erdan Island (二膽島）has been found in China. Despite not knowing the reason behind his desertion, there’s no national security concerns according to lawmakers from major parties.
A Taiwanese soldier who was reported missing last Thursday is in Xiamen China. That was confirmed by the head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council Chiu Tai-san (邱太三) on Monday and by Chinese authorities.
There have been concerns about whether the soldier’s desertion would pose national security risks to the battalion stationed on the island.
The soldier worked in the kitchen, and could have information about the size of the battalion, the food inventory and supply chains, or manpower and weapons planning.
KMT lawmaker Chen Yu-Jen （陳玉珍) said while the soldier took a loan of NT$ 300,000 (US$ 10,000) his family can pay it off. Chen added that the soldier did not hold any confidential information.
DPP lawmaker Wang Ting-Yu (王定宇）also reassured the public that there’s little to worry about.
While both major parties expressed little concern about the soldier leaking national security secrets, the incident involved both the defense ministry and the Coast Guard Administration.
Chiu told reporters that the defense ministry and the investigation bureau of the judiciary will decide whether to put the soldier on the list of wanted individuals.
Though the desertion is big news in Taiwan, it shouldn’t have a major impact on cross-strait relations.