Taiwan Court Sentences Mainland-Born Activist to 7 Years for Political Interference
A New Taipei court sentenced China-born activist Hsu Chun-ying to seven years for conspiring with Chinese officials to influence Taiwanese politics and illegal fund transfers.
A court in New Taipei has sentenced Hsu Chun-ying, a prominent advocate for mainland Chinese spouses in Taiwan, to seven years in prison. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, found her guilty of violating the Anti-Infiltration Act and the Banking Act for collaborating with Chinese government officials to influence Taiwan's political landscape.
Hsu, who was born in China and moved to Taiwan after marriage, was also convicted of transferring 24.5 million New Taiwan Dollars (approximately $760,000) from China outside formal banking channels. Prosecutors alleged that her actions were aimed at gathering intelligence for Beijing and swaying political outcomes in Taiwan.
Court proceedings revealed exchanges between Hsu and Yang Wentao, a director at China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Sun Xian, a deputy head of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang in Shanghai. According to prosecutors, these discussions involved coordinating support for specific candidates, including Huang Shan-shan in the Taipei mayoral race and Ko Wen-je in the 2024 presidential election.
Hsu, who holds Taiwanese citizenship, was briefly considered as a candidate for the Taiwan People's Party but withdrew amid questions about her loyalty. She most recently led the Cross Straits Marriage and Family Services alliance, which was disbanded by Taiwan's Interior Ministry in May for failing to hold timely director elections.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Hsu's status as a "mainland spouse," a community that has faced increased scrutiny amid heightened cross-strait tensions. Critics, including activist Shangguanluan, have argued that the charges are vaguely worded, allowing the government to apply them arbitrarily.
This verdict comes amid broader concerns over espionage and illegal technology transfers. In recent months, Taiwanese authorities have investigated attempts to smuggle advanced computer servers containing Nvidia chips to China and have sentenced soldiers for leaking sensitive information.