A former naval officer standing on a foreign deck, praising the very military that threatens his homeland. It sounds like the plot of a spy novel, but for Taiwan, this is a recurring nightmare that hits much closer to home. When retired Lieutenant Commander Lu Li-shih appeared on Chinese state media in Qingdao, bragging about the discipline and readiness of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), he didn't just hurt his own reputation. He handed Beijing a tailor-made propaganda win on a silver platter.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Veterans Affairs Council were right to come down hard on this. You can't spend your career pledging allegiance to the Republic of China only to flip the script the second you collect your pension. It’s a betrayal of the public trust, and honestly, it’s getting old.
The Strategy Behind the Smile
Let's be clear about what’s happening here. This isn't just about one guy having a bad take. It’s part of a broader, calculated "United Front" effort. Beijing knows exactly what it’s doing when it rolls out the red carpet for retired Taiwanese brass. They aren't looking for military secrets from these retirees—they are looking for something arguably more valuable: optics.
When a retired Taiwanese officer walks through a Chinese guided-missile destroyer, nods in approval, and tells the cameras that a strong PLA means a safe Taiwan, they are pushing a specific narrative. They are trying to normalize the idea that the PLA isn't an existential threat, but a protector. It’s psychological warfare, plain and simple. By using these individuals, Beijing aims to soften the resolve of the Taiwanese public and create cracks within the military institution itself.
It’s effective, too. It makes the average citizen question the loyalties of the very people tasked with defending their island. If the former commanders are buying the pitch, why shouldn't the civilians?
Why Current Laws Are Struggling
The government’s frustration with these incidents is pushing for real legislative change. We are looking at potential amendments to the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. The goal is simple: put actual teeth into the rules that govern what retired military personnel can and cannot do.
For years, there’s been a legal gray area. Retirees argued their post-service life was a private matter. They claimed freedom of speech. But when you are a former high-ranking officer, you aren't just an average citizen. You represent the institution. Your pension, your training, and your status were all paid for by the taxpayer. When you use that platform to undermine national security, you lose the privilege of claiming it’s just a personal opinion.
The proposed legal changes aren't just about punishment. They are about deterrence. If someone knows that praising the adversary could cost them their pension or result in significant fines, they might think twice before jumping on a flight to Qingdao. It’s a necessary step to close the loophole that Beijing has been exploiting for years.
The Cultural Shift Needed in the Ranks
We talk a lot about laws, but the problem is also cultural. Why do some retired officers feel comfortable doing this? Is it a lack of institutional loyalty? Is it nostalgia for a different time?
The military needs to address this internally. It’s not enough to condemn these actions after the fact. The education of officers needs to reinforce that service is a lifetime commitment. You don't get to opt out of national loyalty just because you’ve turned in your uniform.
The Veterans Affairs Council has been vocal about this, and they have to stay vocal. They need to make it clear that being a veteran comes with responsibilities that don't expire. We need to see more internal pushback from veterans’ groups themselves. When a peer crosses the line, it shouldn't just be the government calling them out; it should be the military community saying, "Not in our name."
Dealing With the Aftermath
This latest incident with Lu Li-shih has to be a turning point. If the government doesn't follow through with real, enforceable legal consequences, this will keep happening. Beijing will keep inviting retired officers for tours, keep filming them, and keep using them as mouthpieces for their political agenda.
For the average citizen watching this, it feels like a slap in the face. People want to know that their tax dollars aren't funding people who are effectively working for the other side.
The next steps for the authorities are clear. Review the current regulations immediately. Stop waiting for the next "incident" to draft a proposal. Pass the amendments that hold these individuals accountable. And beyond the legal side, reinforce the message that national security is a permanent duty. Taiwan needs to tighten the ship, both in the legislature and in the culture of its veterans. Anything less is a disservice to the active-duty personnel currently standing watch.
