Former TV Producer Li Neng-chien and Others Indicted for Espionage for China, Remain Detained

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office, in conjunction with the New Taipei City Police Department's investigation into a fraud case, discovered that Li Neng-chien and others allegedly impersonated celebrities like NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang to defraud the public through fake Facebook fan pages and investment advertisements, with losses exceeding NT$13 million. In June of last year, police launched search and arrest operations. After interrogation, Li Neng-chien was released on bail of NT$200,000, with restrictions on leaving the country and sailing. After searching and analyzing the seized items, the police discovered Li Neng-chien's involvement in cases related to the National Security Law. Prosecutors then directed the New Taipei City Police Department, the Criminal Investigation Bureau's Technology Crime Prevention Center, and the Taipei Garrison Command to jointly investigate, with assistance from the Ministry of National Defense's Political Warfare Bureau and Military Intelligence Bureau in tracing the source and apprehending suspects. In December of last year, Li Neng-chien was apprehended and subsequently detained and barred from seeing visitors. Prosecutors investigated that in February of last year, Li Neng-chien traveled to Fuzhou, China, where he was recruited by Chinese intelligence officer 'Fuzhou Hot Spring.' He agreed to assist in gathering, collecting, and delivering military intelligence for remuneration and instructed his friend Xu Yin-hao to obtain files containing intelligence officer identities, military personnel from national units, and information on citizens, totaling over 3,000 personal data records, from a WeChat contact nicknamed 'Hamburger.' In April of the same year, Li Neng-chien transmitted six of these files to 'Fuzhou Hot Spring' via Telegram. Prosecutors found that in May of ROC Year 113 (2024), Li Neng-chien, accompanied by his friend Zhang Jialing, dined with Chinese military intelligence personnel 'Xiao Lan' and their assistants and superiors in Guangzhou, China. During the meal, 'Xiao Lan' identified themselves as Chinese military personnel and requested Li Neng-chien and others to assist in military intelligence gathering work targeting Taiwan. 'Xiao Lan' and others would provide remuneration based on the sensitivity of the information. Li Neng-chien and Zhang Jialing, seeking financial support, agreed to 'Xiao Lan''s requests. Upon returning to Taiwan, Li Neng-chien instructed his friend Peng Yongcong to investigate and collect personal information of military personnel and sensitive military information. On May 22, ROC Year 113 (2024), Peng Yongcong transmitted files containing personal data of 50 military personnel, purchased from an unknown friend for NT$5,000, to Li Neng-chien via WeChat. Li Neng-chien then contacted 'Xiao Lan' to provide the list of military personnel and requested RMB 5,000 in remuneration, but 'Xiao Lan' refused due to the high amount. Prosecutors stated that in April of ROC Year 114 (2025), Li Neng-chien established a Telegram group for 'Xiao Lan,' filtering in active military personnel. The group included 'Xiao Lan' and nine other Chinese individuals, who discussed topics like 'This can help better protect Taiwan and deepen Taiwan's joint defense cooperation with the United States' to attract military personnel in the group to provide relevant military intelligence information as instructed. However, the military personnel in the group did not respond actively, and the attempt failed. Additionally, before November of ROC Year 113 (2024), Zhang Jialing, along with retired Air Force friend Ke Mengyu, met Li Neng-chien. Li Neng-chien and Zhang Jialing explained their cooperation with 'Xiao Lan' to Ke Mengyu. A few days later, Ke Mengyu brought military information obtained during her service to Li Neng-chien, who then used his phone to photograph relevant documents and provide them to 'Xiao Lan.' The Taipei District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation today, indicting Li Neng-chien, Xu Yin-hao, Zhang Jialing, Peng Yongcong, and Ke Mengyu on charges including violations of the National Intelligence Work Act, National Security Law, and Personal Data Protection Law. Prosecutors stated that Li Neng-chien was the ringleader, acting for personal gain and disregarding national security, by being recruited by Chinese intelligence personnel 'Fuzhou Hot Spring' and 'Xiao Lan' to spy on, collect, and deliver thousands of pieces of classified official and military information to Chinese intelligence personnel, severely infringing upon national security. They requested the court to impose a prison sentence of 12 years or more. (Editor: Chen Renhua) 1150410