Judicial investigators in Taiwan have officially indicted a couple associated with the China Unification Promotion Party (CUPP), a minor political entity, on serious charges of receiving substantial financial support—amounting to millions of dollars—from Chinese authorities. This funding was reportedly aimed at advancing the Chinese government’s political agenda and exerting influence over Taiwan’s elections and referendums.
Taiwan’s Chiayi District Prosecutors’ Office announced on Monday that it has charged Chang Meng-chung and his wife, Hung Wen-ting, under Taiwan’s Anti-Infiltration Act and related electoral laws. Prosecutors claim that the couple engaged in media propaganda for Beijing, receiving NT$74 million (approximately $2.32 million) over more than a decade as compensation for their activities.
Legal representatives allege that the payments from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing and its Fujian Province branch were made to the couple between 2011 and 2023. The couple is accused of advocating for candidates deemed favorable by Beijing, undermining Hong Kong democracy activists, disparaging members of the Falun Gong spiritual group, boasting about China’s military capabilities, and urging Taiwanese military personnel to capitulate in the event of a Chinese invasion.
Beijing has consistently portrayed Taiwan as a renegade province that must eventually reunite with the mainland, even if that requires military intervention. This stance is met with widespread resistance among the majority of the Taiwanese population, who oppose any form of rejoining China.
As members of the CUPP, which has an estimated 60,000 members according to Reuters, Chang and Hung have long promoted the idea of unification with the Chinese mainland. Prosecutors allege that the couple frequently traveled to mainland China to present program summaries and proposals for review by Chinese authorities.
In a defiant response to the charges that have been reported by various Taiwanese television stations, Chang asserted, “Taiwan says it’s democratic, but it’s not democratic at all. The CUPP has always been championing cross-strait reunification, so what I said is the same as what the CUPP has always advocated.”
Should they be found guilty, Chang and Hung could face prison sentences of up to five years along with fines reaching NT$10 million, which is roughly equivalent to $313,400, as noted in a report by Taiwan’s Central News Agency.
Chao Fang-yi, a non-resident fellow at the Research Institute of Democracy, Security, and Emerging Technology in Taiwan, provided insight into the significance of the use of the Anti-Infiltration Act, implemented in January 2020. Chao emphasized that previous attempts to link CUPP’s finances to China had faced difficulties, and the current case represents a notable opportunity for prosecution supported by tangible evidence.
Taiwanese authorities have long been intent on prosecuting CUPP’s controversial founder, Chang An-lo, known colloquially as the “White Wolf,” due to his historical ties to organized crime. Chang served a 10-year prison sentence in the United States in the 1980s for drug trafficking before spending 17 years in self-imposed exile in China. He returned to Taiwan in 2013 and turned himself into authorities, although subsequent charges related to organized crime were dropped.
In 2018, Taiwanese police executed a raid on Chang An-lo’s residence and CUPP headquarters, seeking evidence of illicit funding from Beijing, which Chang publicly denied. While charges related to political donation violations were dropped in July 2024, Chang was still sentenced to eight months in prison for falsifying documents and violating tax laws.
Earlier this August, the High Prosecutors’ Office in Taiwan charged three individuals associated with CUPP for allegedly developing a spy network aimed at infiltrating Taiwan’s military.
The Investigation Bureau of Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice revealed in a statement on Monday that authorities conducting inquiries into Chang Meng-chung and his wife have executed searches at 24 different locations between December 2023 and July of this year. They reported the confiscation of mobile phones, computers, financial records, and other corroborative evidence.
The bureau further indicated that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has manipulated Taiwan’s democratic liberties to instruct, empower, or financially support local collaborators, aiming to facilitate infiltration, sow division, and disseminate disinformation that could undermine Taiwan’s elections and national security.
As of the time of publication, VOA has not received any statements regarding the arrests from either China’s Taiwan Affairs Office or the relevant authorities in Beijing responsible for Taiwan affairs.
**Interview with Chao Fang-yi, Non-Resident Fellow at the Research Institute of Democracy, Security, and Emerging Technology**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Chao. The recent indictment of Chang Meng-chung and Hung Wen-ting marks a significant development in Taiwan’s political landscape. Can you explain the implications of this case under the Anti-Infiltration Act?
**Chao Fang-yi:** Thank you for having me. This case is quite significant as it showcases Taiwan’s commitment to safeguarding its democratic processes. The Anti-Infiltration Act, which came into effect in January 2020, was designed to address foreign interference, particularly from China. The indictment of this couple not only demonstrates the government’s willingness to act against covert influence but also represents a potential shift in prosecuting those who engage in such activities.
**Editor:** You mentioned the challenges previously faced in linking CUPP’s finances to China. What makes this case different?
**Chao Fang-yi:** This case is unique because it appears to have tangible evidence connecting Chang and Hung directly to financial support from Chinese authorities over an extended period. Such substantial funding, totaling around NT$74 million, provides a clear basis for prosecution under the Anti-Infiltration Act. It is a pivotal moment that could potentially empower authorities to take stronger action against similar entities in the future.
**Editor:** How do you think the public perception of the CUPP and its activities will shift following these charges?
**Chao Fang-yi:** The public’s perception is likely to be influenced significantly by the legal proceedings. Many Taiwanese citizens harbor skepticism towards any form of unification with China, especially given Beijing’s military stance. If the couple is found guilty, it could further delegitimize the CUPP’s agenda and reshape public discourse, making it harder for pro-unification sentiments to gain traction.
**Editor:** Chang Meng-chung has openly criticized Taiwan’s democracy. How do you see this statement resonating with the Taiwanese public that largely opposes rejoining China?
**Chao Fang-yi:** Statements like his might create a backlash. For many Taiwanese, democracy is a core value, and undermining it, especially in the name of unification with a regime that opposes democratic principles, is highly contentious. The general opposition to rejoining China will make it difficult for voices like Chang’s to gain support, and such comments can be viewed as attempts to sow discord within the democratic framework.
**Editor:** Should Chang and Hung be convicted, what penalties could they face?
**Chao Fang-yi:** If found guilty, they could potentially face prison sentences of up to five years and hefty fines. This would send a strong message that Taiwan is serious about countering foreign influence and that there are legal consequences for attempting to undermine its democratic processes.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Chao. This situation underscores the delicate balance Taiwan must maintain in fostering its democracy while navigating foreign pressures.
**Chao Fang-yi:** Thank you for having me. It’s indeed a critical moment for Taiwan, and how it handles these challenges will profoundly shape its future.
