Senior Taiwanese officer held for spying for China (Lead)

Taipei May 10 (IANS) A senior military official who once headed Taiwan s Air Defence Missile Command has been arrested for spying for China the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

Major General Hsieh Chia-kang Deputy Chief of the Army s command for Matsu a small island off the coast of China s Fujian Province has been taken into custody Efe news reported.

Hsieh headed the missile command which consists of several important battalions and missiles -- Patriot III Sky Bow II and III and HAWK as well as strategic counterattack missiles (ground-to-ground) and Hsiung Feng missiles.

Investigation Bureau agents on Tuesday searched Hsieh s residence in Pingtung and arrested him.

Taiwan s Defence Ministry said it suspected that Hsieh had been hired by China not only to spy but also to create a spy network.

In recent years several Taiwanese military and security agents have been accused of spying for China but most were retired.

--IANS
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