Overview

• Taipei prosecutors have indicted four ex-Democratic Progressive Party members, including a former adviser to President Lai Ching-te and a former secretary to ex-foreign minister Joseph Wu.
• They are accused of passing classified national security information to Chinese handlers in exchange for cash rewards.
• Prosecutors are seeking prison sentences of 18 years or more for the lead suspect and shorter terms for the others under espionage and national security laws.
• Investigators allege the operation was orchestrated by former Democratic Progressive Party staffers who recruited government insiders.
• Beijing’s military pressure on Taiwan has intensified, with fighter jets crossing the Taiwan Strait median line more than twice as often as last year and at least seven drills around the island since May 2024.