Taiwan Convicts President’s Former Aide on Charge of Spying for China

Taiwan has faced a surge in espionage cases linked to China, which aims to erode the island’s democracy and gather intelligence on its military and technology.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te inspects the troops taking part in the Rapid Response Exercise during a visit at the Songshan military airbase in Taipei, Tawian, on March 21, 2025. I-Hwa Cheng / AFP via Getty Images

TAIPEI, Taiwan—The Taipei District Court has convicted four former members of Taiwan’s ruling party—including one who previously worked for the president—of spying for China, as Taipei continues to resist the Chinese communist regime’s efforts to undermine the self-ruling democracy.

The court handed down prison sentences ranging from four to 10 years for the defendants, all four of whom were found guilty of leaking state secrets to China, according to a statement released on Sept. 25. They were indicted on multiple charges in June.