A court in Taiwan has convicted a former presidential aide and three other individuals, all previously associated with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), for engaging in espionage activities on behalf of China. The sentences range from four to ten years, reflecting the court’s finding that the spying occurred over an extended period and involved sensitive diplomatic information, thereby exacerbating Taiwan’s already challenging international position.
Huang Chu-jung, identified as a former assistant to a Taipei councilor, received the longest sentence of ten years. Prosecutors had initially sought a sentence of up to 18 years.
The court detailed that Huang had instructed a staffer within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, identified as Ho Jen-chieh, to gather intelligence from Joseph Wu, who was the Foreign Minister at the time and now serves as the national security chief. This information was then reportedly compiled into reports by Huang and transmitted to Chinese Communist Party intelligence via encrypted software. Ho Jen-chieh was sentenced to eight years and two months imprisonment.
Further investigations revealed that Huang collaborated with another former DPP staffer, Chiu Shih-yuan, to collect additional intelligence. Chiu, in turn, sourced information from Wu Shangyu, who had served as an aide to current President Lai Ching-te. Wu was accused of passing on details concerning President Lai’s travel itineraries.
The court disclosed that Huang received approximately NT$5 million (roughly $163,172 USD or £122,203) from the Chinese government, while Chiu was paid over NT$2 million.
The convictions come amid heightened tensions and increased espionage activities between China and Taiwan. Taipei has reported a significant rise in espionage cases in recent years, with the National Security Bureau noting 64 prosecutions for spying for China in 2024 alone, a notable increase from previous years. High-ranking Taiwanese officials have frequently been implicated in such allegations, underscoring the ongoing geopolitical challenges in the region.