Chu Cheng-chi Suspected in Espionage Case Involving Contact with United Front Media; MAC States Strait Herald Stationing Suspended

Liberty Times reported today that investigators found that Chu Cheng-chi allegedly used his position to spy on and photograph documents classified as secret, and transmitted them via a dedicated mobile phone to a Mr. Wang, who is a member of the Communist Party of China, for remuneration of RMB 20,000 (approximately NT$92,600). It is understood that Mr. Wang is Wang Wei, the director of the news center for 'Strait Herald,' a core united front media outlet of the CPC for Taiwan, who has been active in Taiwan for over 10 years under the guise of interviews.

Regarding this matter, when asked by the media about the number of Chinese official media resident journalists in Taiwan and whether 'Strait Herald' is still prohibited from stationing in Taiwan, etc.

The MAC stated in writing this afternoon that after the epidemic, the rotation of Chinese media journalists stationed in Taiwan is subject to special project applications and individual case evaluations and permits by the competent authority, the Ministry of Culture, in conjunction with the MAC, and reviewed through the Joint Review Committee mechanism of the Immigration Agency. Currently, there are 7 Chinese media journalists from 7 organizations stationed in Taiwan.

The MAC continues to work with the Ministry of Culture to strengthen the requirements for resident journalists to strictly abide by government laws and regulations and not to engage in activities inconsistent with the permitted purpose. If any illegal acts are involved, they will be dealt with severely according to the law.

The MAC pointed out that 'Strait Herald' is affiliated with the 'Fujian Daily Newspaper Group.' It has previously been involved in controversies concerning intervention in Taiwan's domestic affairs and is suspected of having violated regulations and exhibited abnormal conduct. It is no longer a simple news media. The government announced that the stationing of this media in Taiwan would be suspended starting in 2025 and has not yet been resumed. The MAC stated in January 2025 that 'Strait Herald' has a clear nature of engaging in united front work towards Taiwan. Lin Ching-tung, a committee member of the newspaper, had previously used funds to direct and fabricate opinion polls to interfere with the presidential election. It is no longer a simple news media. Therefore, the stationing of 'Strait Herald' and its affiliated Fujian Daily Newspaper Group in Taiwan has been suspended. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150408