DPP expels 5 members over alleged Chinese espionage

Taipei, May 21 (CNA) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has expelled five members accused of spying for China, a move that aims to "uphold party discipline and safeguard national security," the party's Central Evaluation Committee chairman said Wednesday.

Among those expelled is Sheng Chu-ying (盛礎纓), a former assistant to You Si-kun (游錫堃) during his tenure as legislative speaker. Sheng is accused of leaking legislative information to Chinese intelligence and allegedly received payments in both cash and cryptocurrency. He has been released on bail.

The other expelled members include Ho Jen-chieh (何仁傑), a former assistant serving under National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) during the latter's tenure as foreign minister.

There is also Wu Shang-yu (吳尚雨), who worked as an adviser in President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) office; Chiu Shih-yuan (邱世元), former deputy head of the DPP's Taiwan Institute of Democracy; and Huang Chu-jung (黃取榮) and assistant to DPP New Taipei Councilor Lee Yu-tien (李余典), all of whom remain detained.

Prosecutors allege Ho, Wu, Chiu and Huang collaborated in spying for Chinese intelligence, who reportedly used their access to collect sensitive political information.

DPP Central Evaluation Committee Chairman Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) said that the expulsion decision was unanimous and made in accordance with party regulations, emphasizing that the members' actions violated both the law and the DPP's core values.

"In the face of coercion and enticement from the Chinese Communist Party, all party members must strictly observe the law and party discipline," Lai said. "National interests must come first."