Chinese National by Marriage Faces Election Interference Charges in Taiwan; Sentencing Set for August

A Taiwanese court is nearing a verdict in the case of Xu Chunying, a Chinese national by marriage and former head of the Taiwan People's Party's New Residents Committee, who is accused of colluding with Chinese officials to influence Taiwanese elections.

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The two have lived in Taiwan for many years, fully enjoying the rights and protections afforded by our country's democratic and legal system, yet they willingly became tools for hostile foreign forces.

Prosecutors allege that Xu and Zhong Jinming, chairman of a cross-strait marriage coordination association, regularly reported domestic political developments to Chinese officials. They are also accused of campaigning for prominent Taiwan People's Party figures, including former legislator Huang Shan-shan and former party chairman Ko Wen-je, during the 2022 Taipei mayoral and 2024 presidential elections.

During the closing arguments, prosecutors sought a combined sentence of 21 years and six months in prison and a fine of NT$23 million for Xu and Zhong. They argued that the pair, despite enjoying rights in Taiwan's democratic system, became tools for hostile foreign forces, seeking to gain influence and personal status in cross-strait affairs by interfering in elections. The prosecution highlighted the defendants' lack of remorse and denial of charges as factors contributing to their sentencing request.

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They sought to gain resources from the source of infiltration by interfering in our country's election system, using the opportunity to seek personal status as a comprador between the two sides of the strait.

The court has scheduled the sentencing for August 11 and has granted Xu bail of NT$2 million. She is subject to restrictions on her residence, travel outside Taipei and New Taipei cities, and electronic monitoring, with daily check-ins required. The prosecution also detailed additional charges against Xu, including violations of the Banking Law for alleged underground remittances exceeding NT$20 million and fraud for allegedly obtaining NT$26.97 million in fraudulent loans. Further charges include aiding a Chinese official in entering Taiwan under the guise of business.

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Xu Chunying, after her nationality dispute arose regarding her non-partisan nomination qualifications, was able to operate through Yang and Sun to obtain proof of cancellation of her Chinese household registration. This 'enemy in the dark, we in the light' malicious tactic, if replicated in the future, could overwhelm relevant authorities with checks and cause public distrust in political candidates' backgrounds, potentially undermining the credibility of our country's democratic election system.