Retired Taiwanese air force captain charged with spying for China
A 77-year-old former air force captain, identified only as Fai, was indicted for allegedly gathering personal data on Taiwanese intelligence officers on behalf of China.
The Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office indicted 77-year-old retired air force captain Fai on suspicion of spying for China. According to the indictment, Fai retired in 1976, later served as a township official in Hebei Province in 2021, and in January 2024 was directed by a Chinese operative named Gao Jinli to collect personal and professional details about a Taiwanese intelligence officer in exchange for payment. Fai reportedly hired a private investigator, unaware of the ultimate purpose, and leveraged his 47-year-old son’s position at a real-estate firm to access property records linked to the target.
After a warrant-authorized search of his residence on Aug. 17, he was detained and held incommunicado. He has denied the allegations, claiming misuse of his personal data. Prosecutors have charged him under the National Intelligence Work Act, the National Security Act, and the Personal Data Protection Act, while his son faces charges under the Personal Data Protection Act as well.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing Chinese espionage efforts targeting Taiwan's intelligence community.
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