Taiwan's security agencies are warning that the pro-China Chinese Unification Promotion Party is trying to slip candidates into November's local elections, bad news for the party but a sign Taipei is tightening its guard against Beijing-backed interference.

• At least 15 party members or affiliates have registered to run in the year-end local elections, some as independents to hide their ties.
• The party has a history of violence against pro-democracy figures, including mobbing Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong at the airport and splashing red paint on singer Denise Ho.
• A senior party official and his wife were charged with taking tens of millions of Taiwan dollars from China's Taiwan Affairs Office to spread propaganda on radio and social media ahead of votes and referendums.
• The Interior Ministry has already asked the Constitutional Court to dissolve the party, calling it a threat to national security and clean elections.
• Officials describe the party as a gang tied to foreign powers, using vote-buying trips, staged rallies, and online influence campaigns to erode Taiwan's democracy.

Outlook: Expect closer scrutiny of these candidates through the campaign, and a Constitutional Court ruling on dissolving the party could reshape Taiwan's approach to Beijing-linked groups.