Taiwan Convicts Four Ex-DPP Members for Spying for China, Sentences Up to 10 Years

A Taipei court on Sept. 25 convicted four former Democratic Progressive Party members of spying for China, handing Huang Chu-jung 10 years, Ho (Ho Jen-chieh) eight years and two months, Chiu Shih-yuan six years and two months, and Wu Shang-yu four years in prison. The group — which included a former aide to President Lai Ching‑te (from his vice‑presidential office) and a senior staffer to then‑foreign minister Joseph Wu — was found to have passed sensitive diplomatic information, including itineraries of senior officials, to Chinese intelligence using encrypted software and mixed public and classified material. They were convicted under the Classified National Security Information Protection Act, and two defendants were also found guilty of money‑laundering, receiving fines and orders to forfeit millions of New Taiwan dollars. Chiu and Wu admitted their crimes and surrendered illicit gains while Huang and Ho denied wrongdoing; prosecutors had sought substantially longer terms and may appeal. The case underscores Taipei’s stepped‑up counterespionage drive under President Lai, who has labeled China a “foreign hostile force” and pushed controversial national‑security measures to combat alleged “grey zone” infiltration.