Taiwanese authorities have arrested four pro-Beijing political party members after they were accused of spying for China. The officials were detained by Taiwanese authorities.
Wang Ping-chung is a media personality who was arrested with three of his colleagues from the pro-unification party on Tuesday. According to the Telegraph, The Taipei District Prosecutors’s Office were investigating the four officials in suspicion of violating the National Security Act.
A Chinese student named Zhou Hongxu is under investigation for trying to obtain classified information and trying to recruit people for a spy network. According to reports, Wang was friends with Zhou and had introduced him to government officials in Taiwan.
“Recently, the Taiwan authorities have shielded and connived with Taiwan independent splittists, and taken various moves to wantonly crack down on and persecute forces and people who uphold peaceful reunification. We strongly condemn this and are paying close attention to developments,” China commented on the development.
Ever since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen, relationship between Taiwan and China has reportedly deteriorated. The DPP clearly does not agree with China’s claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.
The elite in Taiwan is constantly scrutinising the political movement inside Taiwan so that China does not gain the upper hand in transforming the political fabric of the country. China has staunchly condemned pro-democracy movement within Taiwan ever since the massive umbrella protest.
Beijing is reportedly outraged at the arrest of the four pro-Beijing officials. China has stressed on the “One China” outlook despite protests demanding complete independence from China.
China, on the other hand, has garnered a reputation for ‘silencing’ voices of dissent within the country. Poets, writers, photographers and journalists have been imprisoned and sentenced to lengthy prison stint for expressing their views on democracy and criticising the government.
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