In a recent development, Lin De-wang, the chairman of the Taiwan People’s Communist Party, faces serious allegations concerning his participation in the 2022 Tainan City Council elections. He is accused of accepting funds from Chinese sources. As the legal proceedings surrounding these accusations have yet to reach a conclusion, new allegations have emerged this year against Lin.
He is now being reported for switching his candidacy to run for the position of chief of the Tainan District in Xinying, while also directing fellow party member Chen Zhen-zhou to contest for the chief position in Wuling Village, Hsinchu City’s northern district. Chen is also embroiled in separate allegations of enticing residents to travel to China and accepting hospitality there, which raises further concerns about foreign interference in Taiwan’s electoral process.
Both Lin and Chen have faced legal repercussions, resulting in court-ordered detention and restrictions on their communication with others, while Lin was granted bail set at 50,000 New Taiwan Dollars.
The investigation has been coordinated by the Tainan and Taoyuan Investigation Bureaus, which recently submitted their findings regarding foreign influence in local elections. As a result, the Tainan District Prosecutor’s Office and the Hsinchu District Prosecutor’s Office are jointly handling the case.
Based on the investigations conducted, it has come to light that Lin De-wang allegedly collaborated with members of a Chinese city government’s Taiwan Affairs Office, receiving instructions and financial backing to run for the position of chief in Tainan’s Xinying District. Concurrently, he arranged for Chen Zhen-zhou to participate in the election for the chief office in Wuling Village, Hsinchu.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Chen Zhen-zhou engaged in activities throughout the first half of this year that included soliciting eligible voters to travel to China. These trips often involved providing benefits such as hospitality in an attempt to secure illegal advantages and manipulate the electoral process. Such actions by these individuals are seen as attempts to undermine the integrity and fairness of Taiwan’s local elections.
On November 7, the Tainan District Prosecutor’s Office authorized searches in five locations and summoned Lin De-wang along with twelve other defendants for questioning. Similarly, the Hsinchu District Prosecutor’s Office led a task force to search three locations and called upon Chen Zhen-zhou and nine witnesses for their testimonies.
Following interrogations, prosecutors concluded that Lin De-wang was indeed implicated in receiving foreign interference concerning his election campaign. Additionally, he was alleged to have directed and funded other candidates, thus violating the Anti-Infiltration Act. Chen Zhen-zhou, likewise, faces accusations of receiving directives and financial support while also allegedly distributing benefits to eligible voters to sway the election outcome. His actions similarly contravene both the Anti-Infiltration Act and the Public Officials Election and Recall Act.
Given the gravity of the accusations against Lin and Chen, along with concerns regarding their potential flight risks, collusion, and evidence tampering, the prosecution requested their detention without access to visitors on November 7. Other defendants and witnesses were subsequently released after questioning.
Following a court hearing, the Tainan District Court authorized the detention of Lin De-wang, while the Hsinchu District Court ruled that Chen Zhen-zhou could be released on bail, contingent on a 50,000 New Taiwan Dollar payment, and imposed restrictions on his residence. The circumstances surrounding this unfolding situation continue to raise significant concerns regarding foreign influences in Taiwan’s electoral integrity.