Taiwan Under Scrutiny: Ex-Legislative Speaker Aide Accused of Spying for China

Allegations of Confidential Information Sales Rock Taiwan's Political Landscape

Taipei, Taiwan - A former aide to You Si-kun (游錫堃), the ex-speaker of Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, is at the center of a probe, accused of selling sensitive information to Chinese intelligence operatives. The investigation, launched by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office and the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, has sent ripples through the island's political circles.

The individual, identified only by the surname Sheng (盛), has been released on NT$200,000 bail and is subject to electronic monitoring. The accusations detail a concerning pattern of alleged espionage, involving meetings with Chinese agents and the acceptance of financial compensation for the exchange of confidential information.

Sheng's employment with You Si-kun, a prominent figure in Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and a former Premier, spanned approximately nine months during You’s tenure as Legislative Yuan speaker from 2020 to 2024. Prosecutors claim Sheng received payments in both cash and virtual currency in exchange for the compromised data.

The investigation gained momentum after Sheng allegedly attempted to recruit a friend into the scheme. While under interrogation, Sheng admitted to receiving funds from Chinese sources but denied providing classified information, claiming he only shared publicly available materials. Investigators suspect Sheng may have deleted digital records from his phone.

The investigation also touches upon Sheng’s more recent employment history. He briefly worked in the office of DPP legislator Loh Meei-ling (羅美玲), but resigned in February. Loh expressed shock at the news, stating she “hadn't noticed anything unusual” about him. Sheng also served as an aide to DPP lawmakers Kuo Yu-ching (郭昱晴) and Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑).

The accusations have prompted responses from across the political spectrum. Hsu Chih-chieh expressed surprise and urged increased vigilance, highlighting the potential presence of "communist spies." Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) countered with criticism, alleging the DPP was harboring these individuals.