TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Chang Hsien-yao (張顯耀) was indicted on Thursday for allegedly helping China interfere in Taiwan's presidential election last year.
Chang’s indictment comes after over 200 people were arrested in January 2024 for supporting Chinese interference in Taiwan's elections, per CNA. It was found that 117 cases broke the Anti-Infiltration Act, with 287 individuals implicated, many of whom were local politicians and neighborhood officials investigated for trips to China.
Prosecutors said that in June 2023, Chang was instructed by individuals connected with China's government to boost Terry Gou (郭台銘), who was one of the KMT’s potential presidential candidates. The KMT chose New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) in May 2023, but the Chinese "sources of infiltration" sought to replace Hou with Gou.
Chang said he believed the KMT could beat the ruling party if Gou teamed up with former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on a joint ticket. Prosecutors said Chang organized events to raise Gou’s standing.
The prosecution also pointed out that Chang had traveled to Beijing in September 2023. They said Chang met with Chinese Communist Party leaders to confirm plans for Gou to run as president.
On Thursday, Chang was indicted for breaking Article 4 of the Anti-Infiltration Act, which carries a five-year maximum prison sentence, and Article 43 of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act.
According to the statement, he is being held accountable for "receiving instructions from sources of infiltration" to "commission public speeches, convene press conferences, and use the media to support and promote a presidential candidate."
