Hsu Chun-ying Granted Bail of NT$2 Million in Anti-Infiltration Law Case; Prosecutors Seek 4 to 4 Years 10 Months for 5 Charges

(Central News Agency, reporter Cao Yayan, New Taipei City, 9th) Hsu Chun-ying, a Chinese spouse indicted for violating the Anti-Infiltration Law and other crimes, had her trial concluded at the New Taipei District Court today. Prosecutors argued that Hsu, fully aware that her contacts had backgrounds in the Chinese Communist Party's united front work, continued to report on Taiwan's political situation and followed instructions to intervene in Taiwan's elections. They are seeking sentences of 4 years to 4 years and 10 months for each of the five charges.

Hsu was detained and prohibited from communication last November. At the conclusion of today's hearing, the New Taipei District Court ruled she could be released on bail of NT$2 million, with restrictions on residence, and a ban on leaving the country or traveling by sea. She is also prohibited from leaving Taipei City and New Taipei City without permission. The court initially ordered electronic monitoring, but reportedly the monitoring center could not provide an electronic ankle bracelet or mobile phone, so the court later changed the order to require her to report to the local police station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

Around 6 PM, Hsu completed the bail procedures, left the courthouse wearing a mask, and only said "Thank you" to the media without further comment.

According to the indictment from the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, Hsu and Zhong Jinming, president of the Cross-Strait Marriage Coordination and Promotion Association, had long-term exchanges with Yang Wentao, director of the Cross-Strait Marriage and Family Service Center under China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Sun Xian, deputy director of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Motherland under the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang Revolutionary Committee. They allegedly received instructions to support and campaign for candidates. Hsu is also accused of engaging in underground currency exchange and fraudulent loans, leading to her indictment for violating the Anti-Infiltration Law and other crimes.

In court today, Hsu only admitted to the charges of fraudulent loans and underground currency exchange, denying any violation of the Anti-Infiltration Law or assisting Sun Xian's entry into Taiwan. Zhong Jinming pleaded not guilty. Hsu's daughter, Bu Qizheng, and friend, Luo Ying, who were charged with violating the Banking Act, both pleaded guilty.

The public prosecutor pointed out that Hsu referred to her conversations with Yang Wentao and Sun Xian as "simple chats," but she was fully aware of their suspicious backgrounds. The conversations involved topics like political strategy and elections, and their frequency over several years indicated a relationship of instruction and reporting, not mere chatting.

The prosecutor further stated that although Hsu and Zhong claimed they did not receive financial support from China, support does not have to be cash; it can include free trips, media exposure, or connections. The beneficiaries could also be ordinary citizens, allowing the infiltrating party to penetrate more broadly. Hsu and Zhong could also use the allocation of these resources to build their own networks, a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy.

Hsu's defense lawyer argued that Hsu's consistent stance was to support whichever party advocates for the rights of Chinese spouses. She merely shared with Yang Wentao why she liked former Taipei mayoral candidate Huang Shan-shan, which the prosecutor misinterpreted as an instruction. "Fighting for the rights of Chinese spouses is a constitutionally protected right. Does this right become illegal just because someone from mainland China expresses agreement or encouragement?" the lawyer asked.

The defense lawyer also pointed out that past conversation records showed Sun Xian did not favor the Taiwan People's Party, but Hsu still supported Huang Shan-shan regardless, which contradicts the claim that she was following instructions. Furthermore, Huang Shan-shan had also been questioned for leaning towards the Democratic Progressive Party, making it unlikely she was a candidate supported by the Chinese Communist Party.

During the sentencing arguments, the prosecutor stated that Hsu and Zhong, having lived in Taiwan for many years and enjoyed the protection of various rights, had become tools of foreign敌对 forces to interfere with Taiwan's electoral system. They accepted resources provided by Yang Wentao and Sun Xian, including hosted visits, distribution of rapid test kits, and applications for emergency relief funds, which allowed them to maintain their status within the Chinese spouse community.

The prosecutor noted that Hsu and Zhong continue to deny their crimes and have a poor attitude. For Hsu's involvement in interfering with the 2022 Taipei mayoral election, the prosecutor seeks a sentence of 4 years and 8 months with a fine of NT$5 million. For her involvement in the 2024 presidential election, the prosecutor seeks 4 years and 10 months with a fine of NT$8 million. For Zhong's involvement in the two elections, the prosecutor seeks 4 years and 2 months with a fine of NT$3 million, and 4 years and 4 months with a fine of NT$6 million, respectively.

Hsu is also charged with conducting illegal currency exchange transactions totaling NT$28.75 million, with criminal proceeds exceeding NT$240,000. For violating the Banking Act, the prosecutor seeks a sentence of 4 years and a fine of NT$10 million. Additionally, Hsu is accused of conspiring with Luo Ying to forge labor insurance records and employment documents for her daughter Bu Qizheng to fraudulently obtain a loan of NT$26.97 million. The prosecutor seeks a sentence of 4 years for Hsu, 2 years and 6 months for Bu, and 2 years and 10 months for Luo.

Furthermore, Hsu and Luo are accused of facilitating Sun Xian's entry into Taiwan under the guise of business exchanges. The prosecutor considers Hsu the actual planner who deliberately concealed Sun's identity, with Luo assisting. The prosecutor seeks a sentence of 4 years for Hsu and 2 years for Luo. The verdict for the entire case will be announced on August 11. (Editor: Long Bo'an) 1150609