TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the appeal of Rehabilitation Alliance Party Chair Chu Hung-yi (屈宏義), finalizing his 10-year prison sentence for spying for China.
The case originated in 2022 when the Miaoli District Prosecutors Office investigated Miaoli County Councilor candidate Huang Kuei-kun (黃桂坤) for allegedly receiving Chinese funds in violation of the Anti-Infiltration Act, per CNA. During the investigation, prosecutors traced the matter to the Rehabilitation Alliance Party, discovering that party members may have breached the National Security Act.
The case was subsequently transferred to the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office in Taichung. Prosecutors found that after retiring at the rank of Army colonel, Chu had conducted business in China for several years.
In 2019, investigators said, he became acquainted with a Chinese military intelligence unit, which promised funding in exchange for recruiting retired Taiwanese military officers to develop the organization. Prosecutors said Chu recruited six retired officers, including Huang, to serve as party officials.
Investigators said Chu drafted several plans, including the “Rehabilitation Alliance Plan” and the “Guidelines for Combat Operations for Chinese Unification,” outlining the development of the organization, the establishment of a political party, and the creation of internal armed forces.
In 2023, Chu formally established the Rehabilitation Alliance Party and assumed the role of chairman. Prosecutors said he recruited unwitting candidates, including entertainer Liu Shang-chien (劉尚謙) and local figures, to run for legislative office.
After estimating campaign expenses, investigators said, Chu applied for funding from Chinese contacts and received nearly NT$2 million (US$63,000) via WeChat, as well as RMB 150,000 (about NT$670,000) through an underground transfer. None of the candidates were ultimately elected.
Prosecutors said Chu also instructed party officials to compile lists of generals and above, and to visit key sites — including the American Institute in Taiwan, Alishan Radar Station, Jialutang Beach, and the Baoli camp of the Joint Operations Training Base Command in Pingtung County — to photograph exteriors, draw maps, and plot coordinates. The materials were then sent to Chinese contacts via WeChat, investigators said.
The Taichung branch of the High Prosecutors Office indicted Chu and six others in August 2024 for alleged violations of the National Security Act and the Anti-Infiltration Act. After a trial at the Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch Court, Chu was sentenced to 10 years in prison last June.
Huang was sentenced to eight years and six months. Tai Hsueh-wen (戴學文) and Lin Chien-hua (林健華) were each sentenced to eight years. Chu Hsien-huan (朱賢寰) and Yu Tien-min (余天民) received seven-year terms, and Liao Yung-ching (廖永清) was sentenced to three years and six months.
All seven defendants appealed. The Supreme Court ruled that the High Court judgment did not violate the law and, on Jan. 28, rejected the appeals, finalizing the sentences.
