Hong Kong businessman Xiang Xin's lawsuit against Investigation Bureau for refusing surveillance information rejected
Hong Kong businessman Xiang Xin's lawsuit against Taiwan's Investigation Bureau for refusing to provide surveillance information was rejected by the court. Xiang Xin, chairman of China Innovation Investment, was previously acquitted of charges related to national security law violations and money laundering and has returned to Hong Kong. The court ruled that as a Hong Kong resident, he does not meet the eligibility requirements for applying for government information disclosure under Taiwanese law.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 19:02
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 19:32 (29 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 19:34 (2 min after Collected)
Taipei, April 16 (CNA) Hong Kong businessman Xiang Xin, chairman of China Innovation Investment, and his wife Gong Qing, who were accused of violating the National Security Law and money laundering, have been acquitted and returned to Hong Kong. Xiang Xin's lawsuit against the Investigation Bureau for refusing to provide information on their surveillance and photographic evidence was rejected by the court today.
The Taipei High Administrative Court announced in a press release that, according to the Government Information Disclosure Act, the eligibility for applying for government information is limited to "nationals with Republic of China nationality and household registration in the Republic of China," "nationals residing abroad holding Republic of China passports," and "foreigners based on reciprocity." However, Xiang Xin is a resident of Hong Kong and does not meet the application requirements.
The court stated that the Investigation Bureau's refusal to provide the information, based on non-compliance with legal application requirements, was lawful and well-founded, thus rejecting the lawsuit. The decision can be appealed.
The case originated from Xiang Xin's claim that he was restricted from leaving Taiwan from 2019 due to criminal cases until September 2023, when the Taiwan High Court issued an acquittal and lifted the restrictions.
Xiang Xin believed that during his stay in Taiwan, he was monitored and photographed by the Investigation Bureau. Citing personal retention or future memoir publication, he applied to the Investigation Bureau on July 8, 2024, under the Personal Data Protection Act, Administrative Procedure Act, and Archives Act, requesting relevant information about the evidence collected.
The Investigation Bureau denied the application on July 17, 2024. Xiang Xin filed an appeal, which was rejected by the Ministry of Justice, leading him to file this administrative lawsuit with the Taipei High Administrative Court. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 20260416
The Taipei High Administrative Court announced in a press release that, according to the Government Information Disclosure Act, the eligibility for applying for government information is limited to "nationals with Republic of China nationality and household registration in the Republic of China," "nationals residing abroad holding Republic of China passports," and "foreigners based on reciprocity." However, Xiang Xin is a resident of Hong Kong and does not meet the application requirements.
The court stated that the Investigation Bureau's refusal to provide the information, based on non-compliance with legal application requirements, was lawful and well-founded, thus rejecting the lawsuit. The decision can be appealed.
The case originated from Xiang Xin's claim that he was restricted from leaving Taiwan from 2019 due to criminal cases until September 2023, when the Taiwan High Court issued an acquittal and lifted the restrictions.
Xiang Xin believed that during his stay in Taiwan, he was monitored and photographed by the Investigation Bureau. Citing personal retention or future memoir publication, he applied to the Investigation Bureau on July 8, 2024, under the Personal Data Protection Act, Administrative Procedure Act, and Archives Act, requesting relevant information about the evidence collected.
The Investigation Bureau denied the application on July 17, 2024. Xiang Xin filed an appeal, which was rejected by the Ministry of Justice, leading him to file this administrative lawsuit with the Taipei High Administrative Court. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 20260416