Taiwanese Court Sentences Advocate for Mainland Spouses to Seven Years in Prison
A court in New Taipei City, Taiwan, has sentenced Hsu Chun-ying to a seven-year prison term for collaborating with Chinese officials to sway Taiwanese political processes. Hsu, originally from China, was found guilty of breaching Taiwan’s Anti-Infiltration Act and violating the Banking Act by unlawfully transferring 24.5 million New Taiwan Dollars (approximately $760,000) from China.
The case has drawn significant media interest, largely due to Hsu’s identity as a “mainland spouse”—a term used for individuals born in China who have relocated to Taiwan through marriage. This group has been under scrutiny amid the escalating tensions between China and Taiwan.
Following the 1949 civil war, Taiwan and China separated. China views Taiwan as part of its territory and regularly sends military forces near the island. In response, Taiwan has prioritized strengthening its defense capabilities and increasing its arms acquisitions.
Taiwanese authorities have accused Hsu of gathering intelligence for China and attempting to influence local politics. Prosecutors released communications between Hsu and a Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs director, discussing strategies to support political parties favorable to mainland spouses in elections.
Hsu, who moved to Taiwan after marriage and holds Taiwanese citizenship, was once considered for a legislative position with the Taiwan People’s Party. However, she withdrew amid questions regarding her affiliations with China. “I had just wanted to serve New Residents,” Hsu stated in 2024, using the government’s term for immigrants.
She previously led the Cross Straits Marriage and Family Services alliance, which was dissolved by Taiwan’s Interior Ministry in May for failing to conduct timely director elections. Hsu was unavailable for comment.
Prosecutors detailed Hsu’s frequent meetings with Yang Wentao, from China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Sun Xian from the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang. They alleged that Hsu and Yang supported independent Taipei mayoral candidate Huang Shan-shan, who later joined the TPP, and also campaigned for TPP founder Ko Wen-je’s presidential bid.
Critics argue that the charges against Hsu were vaguely worded. “The DPP government is deliberately avoiding drawing clear red lines, to ensure that it can arbitrarily weaponize this charge,” commented Shangguanluan, an advocate for mainland spouses in Taiwan.
In 2025, Taiwan deported three Chinese spouses advocating for reunification with China through military means. Additionally, authorities required 12,000 mainland spouses with Taiwanese citizenship to cancel their Chinese household registrations.
Concerns about espionage and technology smuggling to China have intensified, with several cases under prosecution. In March, Taiwanese authorities investigated three individuals attempting to smuggle computer servers with advanced Nvidia chips to China. Last year, four military personnel, including members of President Lai Ching-te’s security team, received seven-year sentences for leaking sensitive information to China.
