Prosecutors Warn Taichung Village Chiefs Against China Travel Offers Amid Election Interference Concerns

The Taichung District Prosecutors Office has issued a warning to 625 village chiefs across the city regarding potential election interference from mainland China. A letter, titled "Protect Your Vote - A Letter from the Prosecutor General to Fellow Villagers," was distributed through the civil affairs system on August 7.

The letter specifically advises village chiefs that accepting invitations for travel to mainland China, particularly if coupled with requests to support specific political parties or candidates, could constitute a violation of Taiwan's Anti-Infiltration Act. This act carries severe penalties, with organizers and those providing funding potentially facing up to 10 years in prison.

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We have not yet seen this letter from the Taichung District Prosecutors Office. If we receive the notice, the Civil Affairs Bureau will assist in forwarding it and informing the village chiefs of the prosecutor's reminders. We ask the village chiefs to cooperate. I believe the elected representatives are aware that accepting hospitality and affecting voting intentions is illegal.

Responding to the prosecutor's initiative, Taichung's Civil Affairs Bureau Director Wu Shih-wei stated that the bureau had not yet received the official notification. However, he assured that they would cooperate with the prosecutors' office by forwarding the information and reminding village chiefs of the warnings if the notice is received. Wu stressed that influencing voting intentions through sponsored travel is illegal and that elected officials are aware of this.

While the city government does not require village chiefs to report personal travel, Wu noted that in this sensitive election period, the bureau would comply with any central government directives. Local village chiefs, like Huang Yu-chia of Beiqu District, reported no knowledge of recent travel invitations from China, citing the upcoming elections and the sensitive timing as deterrents for such activities.

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I have not heard of any village chiefs or representatives recently accepting invitations for travel to China. Village chiefs are busy with their own elections at the end of the year, so it is unlikely anyone would be traveling abroad. Given the sensitive time, it is unlikely anyone would do so.