A Taiwan court has convicted a former presidential aide of spying for China, along with three others from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Among those convicted was a staff member from the office of former Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, now the national security chief. The sentenced individuals received jail terms ranging from four to ten years for leaking state secrets, following extensive espionage that lasted a significant period and involved sharing critical diplomatic intelligence.
Beijing regards Taiwan as its territory, leading to long-standing espionage efforts from both sides, with accusations of heightened Chinese spying in recent times.
Of the four convicted, Huang Chu-jung, a former aide to a Taipei councillor, received the longest sentence—10 years—though prosecutors initially sought up to 18 years. He had directed another employee to gather sensitive information from Wu and transmitted this data to Chinese intelligence using encrypted software.
The espionage activities reportedly worsened Taiwan’s challenging diplomatic situation. With Huang earning substantial sums from the Chinese government, including nearly NT$5 million, the case reflects increasing concerns about Chinese influence within Taiwan.
This wave of convictions aligns with Taiwan's intensified focus on countering purported Chinese spies. In 2024 alone, the country prosecuted 64 individuals for spying, a notable rise from previous years.
As tensions escalate between Taiwan and China, the DPP's pro-independence stance contrasts sharply with the Kuomintang party's more favorable approach to Beijing, intensifying the ongoing political discourse.
