Taiwan Grapples with Espionage: Detention of Former DPP Staffers Extended

Ongoing Investigation Reveals Alleged Chinese Spying Within Ruling Party's Ranks

Taipei, Taiwan – The Taipei District Court has greenlit a prosecutor's request to extend the detention of two former staffers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), deepening the intrigue surrounding an alleged espionage case involving China.

The individuals, identified as Chiu Shih-yuan (邱世元) and Huang Chu-jung (黃取榮), have been held in custody since mid-February, following questioning by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office. Their initial detention period was set to expire soon, but the court's recent decision ensures their continued confinement.

Prosecutors, citing strong suspicions of serious crimes and concerns regarding potential collusion or destruction of evidence, sought an extension of their detention. The court, after a hearing, granted this request, extending the detention for an additional two months, commencing Sunday. During this period, the detainees will remain held incommunicado.

Chiu, a former deputy head of the DPP's Taiwan Institute of Democracy, and Huang, who previously served as an assistant to DPP New Taipei Councilor Lee Yu-tien (李余典), are among several individuals suspected of acting as spies for Chinese intelligence services. The alleged activities reportedly occurred while they were working for senior officials within the DPP government, which has been in power since 2016.

The investigation also implicates other individuals, including Wu Shang-yu (吳尚雨), who worked as an advisor in the office of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), and Ho Jen-chieh (何仁傑), a former assistant to National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) during his time as Taiwan's Foreign Minister.

According to prosecutors, Huang was allegedly recruited by Chinese intelligence services while engaged in business activities in China. Upon his return to Taiwan, he is accused of collaborating with Ho, Wu Shang-yu, and Chiu to gather sensitive information about President Lai and other top officials.

It is alleged that, in exchange for providing this information to Chinese intelligence, Ho, Wu, and Chiu received tens of thousands of Taiwan dollars. The investigation expanded in February after prosecutors tracked financial transactions between Huang and the other suspects. Huang, Wu, and Chiu were initially detained in February, with Ho subsequently added to the list last week.