Taiwan’s new website for mainland Chinese to securely report intelligence-related information has sparked debate over whether it is workable.

The self-governed island’s National Security Bureau (NSB) on Sunday said it had established a “contact window” to collect political, military, economic and social intelligence from mainland China.

The bureau said the initiative was modelled on the practices of intelligence agencies in the United States, Britain and Israel.

It cited public dissatisfaction on the mainland over the economy, political repression and social problems, claiming a growing number of mainland Chinese were approaching Taiwan-related agencies to provide information.

The website offers security guidance for potential informants, including the use of foreign-brand devices, virtual private networks and anonymous internet connections.

The announcement was met with scepticism from opposition lawmakers and online commenters.