Taiwan uncovers Chinese spy network involving Hong Kong businessman

Taipei prosecutors have charged a Hong Kong businessman and six Taiwanese citizens with espionage on behalf of China, according to Focus Taiwan, citing investigative sources.

The investigation found that the Taiwanese citizens received more than $350,000 for their work.

According to investigators, 68-year-old Chinese businessman Ding Xiaohu, holding a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport, was recruited by Chinese intelligence services in 2018. Regularly visiting Taiwan, Ding began establishing a spy network there, recruiting both former and active military personnel to collect classified information.

Investigators identified all members of the network, including two who are now deceased, and verified all financial transactions used to fund the network’s activities.

Ding, who it said visited Taiwan under the pretext of business or tourism activities, recruited two retired military officers as core members of the spying group to then recruit serving personnel, the bureau said.

Ding, along with six others, have now been detained, it added. It gave no other details, including when exactly Ding was detained or their gender.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence Political Warfare Bureau participated in the investigation. Prosecutors are seeking lengthy prison sentences for the Taiwanese military personnel, citing the severity of the crime.

By Khagan Isayev