New director but same focus: China. Since Tsai Ming-yen took over the National Security Bureau (NSB), Taiwan's external intelligence agency, he has ensured continuity of its missions and priorities. He was hastily appointed in January to stifle a scandal that had forced his predecessor, Chen Ming-tong (IO, 08/04/22), to resign. 

In the rush to fill the position, President Tsai Ing-wen stuck to her habit of giving senior political roles to those close to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and quickly