Expelled DPP Candidate to Run Independently Amid Espionage Allegations

Chu Cheng-chi, who had passed the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) primary for Taipei city council, announced he will continue his election bid as an independent after being expelled from the party. Chu was indicted by prosecutors for allegedly violating national security laws by providing sensitive legislative information to China.

Chu vehemently denies the espionage charges, asserting that the document in question was a meeting record from a 2022 visit by U.S. congressmen to the Legislative Yuan. He claims this record was widely available and reported on by Taiwanese media, containing no substantive classified information. Chu stated he was under surveillance for four years without his knowledge.

He explained his actions stemmed from a desire to mediate a dispute with his Chinese spouse's family regarding his late father-in-law's medical expenses and inheritance. Chu sought help from a Taiwanese media reporter based in China, who he believed could facilitate communication with his spouse's family. This reporter later asked for information on Taiwan-U.S. relations, and Chu provided the meeting record, admitting he did not notice a "confidential" marking on the document at the time.

Chu acknowledged potential lapses in judgment but insisted he is not a spy and had no criminal motive or financial gain. He believes "interested parties" used media reports to pressure the DPP into expelling him within three hours, even before the indictment was formally served. Having been a member of the DPP for 18 years, he feels his ideals and efforts have been unjustly dismissed.

"I will defend my innocence in court and accept strict scrutiny in the election campaign. I will fight to the end," Chu declared. He will now run under the banner "Independent - Taiwan派" (Taiwan Faction) in the Zhongshan and Datong district of Taipei, aiming to prove his integrity and honor the choice made by constituents in the primary election.

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I will defend my innocence in court and accept strict scrutiny in the election campaign. I will fight to the end.