Diabolo Coach Lu Chi-Hsien Sentenced to 12 Years and 8 Months for Leaking Presidential Trip Details as Chinese Spy

Central News Agency reports that Lu Chi-Hsien, a diabolo performance coach, was sentenced to 12 years and 8 months by the Taipei District Court for espionage on behalf of China. The High Court had previously sentenced him to 10 years and 6 months. Prosecutors uncovered that Lu recruited a China Airlines flight dispatcher and others to leak sensitive information, including former President Tsai Ing-wen’s 2023 diplomatic trip itinerary.

Lu was first recruited by Chinese intelligence agents in 2020 (Minguo Year 109) while arranging commercial diabolo performances in China. He received at least NT$5.7 million in funding from Chinese sources. In 2022 (Minguo 111), Lu recruited Lin Chu-Han (formerly Lin Ming-Hui), a former military non-commissioned officer, who then helped recruit active-duty military personnel, including Air Force Sergeant Chen Min-Chi.

Starting November 2022, Chen accessed classified military documents via government computers, including the '2023 Psychological Combat Readiness Program' from the Songshan Air Base Command, and passed them to Lu and Lin, who then forwarded the data to Chinese agents. Chen received NT$215,000 in return.

Separately, Lu recruited Ge Tsang-Hao, a flight dispatcher at China Airlines’ Joint Control Division. Between March and April 2023, Lu instructed Ge to obtain advance details of President Tsai Ing-wen’s '2023 Journey of Democratic Partners and Shared Prosperity'—a state visit to Guatemala and Belize from March 29 to April 7, 2023, with a U.S. transit.

Ge accessed China Airlines’ internal network using his work computer, photographed documents titled '2023 Journey of Democratic Partners: Special Flight Departure/Arrival Times and Airport Information,' and sent them via an internal messaging app to Lu, who then uploaded the files to Chinese intelligence operatives. Ge received a total of NT$45,000 in compensation.

In December 2023, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted Lu, Lin, Chen, and Ge on charges of violating the National Security Act and corruption. Prosecutors sought over 15 years for Lu, over 8 years for Lin, over 7 years for Chen, and over 4 years for Ge.

On June 17, 2024, the Taipei District Court delivered its verdict: Lu was sentenced to two separate terms of 6 years and 6 years 8 months for two counts of violating the National Security Act, totaling 12 years and 8 months, with 4 years of civil rights deprivation. Lin received 5 years and 6 months, with 3 years of civil rights loss. Chen was sentenced to 6 years and 2 months under the Anti-Corruption Act, with 4 years of civil rights deprivation. Ge was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months. All defendants may appeal.