A self-proclaimed former Chinese spy in Australia, Wang Liqiang, has led to heightened public alert over the possibility of Chinese interference in Taiwan’s elections. Wang said he was an employee at China Innovation Investment Ltd. which has been used to affect Taiwan’s elections. That’s why two of its executives were taken in for questioning as they were leaving Taiwan on Sunday.
At the Taoyuan airport on Sunday, two China Innovation Investment executives were taken in for questioning and are now barred from leaving Taiwan as the investigation continues. Self-proclaimed former Chinese spy Wang Liqiang said that this Hong Kong-based company has been interfering in Taiwan’s elections and undermining Hong Kong’s democratic movement.
Wang says he was employed at China Innovation Investment in 2014. The justice ministry said they took in China Innovation Investment CEO Xiang Xin and alternate board member Kung Ching in for questioning.
Wang’s high profile allegations of Chinese interference in Taiwan’s elections have put Taiwan on high alert. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party proposed an anti-infiltration bill on Monday to prevent Chinese interference in Taiwan’s democracy.
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming said, "The most important bill of the session is here. It’s called the anti-infiltration bill." It offers incentive for spies to come forward.
"If you turn yourself in and prevent a national security crisis, you may be exempt from punishment," Ker said.
New Power Party (NPP) caucus whip Hsu Yung-ming said, "As in other countries, the bill requires registration, designates boundaries, punishments and investigations." That was a reference to the NPP version which aims to monitor money and personnel with ties to China.
But Kuomintang lawmakers Chen Yi-ming said this bill was a campaign strategy. "It’s election time," said Chen. "So you can see the ulterior motives."
Hsu said, "If we don’t pass it in this session, we’ll have to start all over in the next session."
The anti-infiltration bill will be debated at a public hearing on Thursday and put to a second reading on Friday.