Taiwanese court hands mainland-spouse activist a seven-year term for China-linked conspiracy

In New Taipei, a judge sentenced Hsu Chun-ying to seven years behind bars for conspiring with officials from the People’s Republic of China to influence Taiwan’s electoral landscape. The verdict cited violations of the Anti-Infiltration Act for her contacts with Chinese authorities and a breach of the Banking Act after she transferred NT$24.5 million outside regulated channels. Court documents revealed her coordination with Yang Wentao of China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs and Sun Xian of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang to support an independent Taipei mayoral candidate who later joined the Taiwan People’s Party, as well as later backing Ko Wen-je for president.

Hsu, a mainland-spouse who obtained Taiwanese citizenship through marriage, had briefly been floated as a TPP legislative hopeful before withdrawing amid loyalty concerns. She also headed the Cross Straits Marriage and Family Services alliance, which was disbanded for failing to hold director elections. Critics argue the case rests on vague legal language that could be used arbitrarily by the ruling party.