TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s High Prosecutors Office on Monday indicted retired Cabinet worker Hu Peng-nien (胡鵬年) and Cheng Ming-chia (鄭明嘉), president of the Guangzhou Association of Taiwanese Youth, for alleged violations of the National Security Act.

Prosecutors said that after starting a business in Guangzhou in 2008, Cheng joined organizations linked to China’s United Front Work Department, including the association he later headed, per CNA. Cheng subsequently came into contact with Hu, who had moved to China to teach after retiring from government service.

According to prosecutors, Cheng exploited Hu’s fear of losing his teaching position at Guangzhou’s Nanfang College to recruit him into infiltration efforts on behalf of the United Front, per UDN. Hu then helped develop related networks in Taiwan, contacting individuals ranging from retired government officials and national security contractors to borough chiefs, prosecutors said.

The Investigation Bureau said Hu was also instructed to approach retired military personnel and younger politicians from multiple political parties, per Liberty Times. While most of those contacted rejected Hu’s overtures, authorities said his actions nonetheless caused serious harm to Taiwan’s national security.

Prosecutors said Hu confessed to the charges and showed remorse, prompting them to recommend a reduced sentence. In contrast, they said Cheng denied wrongdoing and should face a heavier penalty, recommending a sentence of at least 10 years in prison.

The Investigation Bureau said the case highlights how the Chinese Communist Party has expanded its infiltration tactics, including efforts to gather sensitive political information by targeting political workers and democratic institutions.

At a cross-strait exchange event held in Chengdu in 2025, Cheng said that despite strained relations and tighter restrictions imposed by Taiwan, many young Taiwanese remained eager to pursue business opportunities in China.