More than 370,000 personnel in sensitive and high-ranking posts were screened in the first phase of the wide-reaching investigation led by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC).

A second phase, launched on Monday, “will include local government officials and public-school teachers at all levels”, deputy interior minister Ma Shih-yuan said.

According to government data, Taiwan has 236,597 civil servants, 212,915 public-school teachers and administrators, and about 215,000 active-duty military personnel.

The MAC – which charts cross-strait policy – has told various agencies, including the defence, interior, education and civil service ministries, to conduct comprehensive checks on personnel, especially those with access to sensitive information or influence.