Former Airline Executive Sentenced to 6 Months for Bribery and Espionage

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 25. Qiao Si-qi, a former airline executive stationed in Sichuan, was sentenced to six months in prison for bribery and attempting to solicit classified information. Qiao had attempted to bribe a Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) official with NT$100,000 and facilitate meetings with Chinese officials to gather intelligence on cross-strait routes. The High Court found that Qiao, while stationed in Chengdu between 2011 and 2014, maintained close ties with Chinese officials, including one nicknamed 'Brother Xiao Quan.' Aware that his junior, surnamed Yang, worked at the MAC and had access to sensitive policy information, Qiao attempted to recruit Yang for the Chinese side. He offered Yang RMB 30,000 as a reward for meetings in Hong Kong or Macau. Yang refused all requests, citing a lack of access to classified information and suspicion regarding the meetings. Qiao's attempts to bribe Yang with NT$100,000 during a meal were also rejected. The court ruled that Qiao's actions constituted an attempt to gather state secrets and develop an organization for China, violating the National Security Act and the Anti-Corruption Act. While Qiao confessed, the court emphasized that his actions facilitated Chinese infiltration and espionage. The sentence of six months is final, with no possibility of a suspended sentence, though it can be commuted to community service. He is also deprived of public rights for one year, and the RMB 30,000 in illicit gains will be confiscated.