[Politics] Xu Chun-ying Sentenced to 7 Years for Multiple Crimes; Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang: Residency Status to Be Revoked

Chinese spouse Xu Chun-ying was allegedly instructed by the Chinese side to campaign for Huang Shan-shan and Ko Wen-je during the Taipei mayoral and presidential elections, and was sentenced to 7 years in prison by the New Taipei District Court. Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang stated today (12th) that because Xu Chun-ying poses a risk to national security or social stability, the government can legally revoke her residency or permanent residency status. Furthermore, as she committed crimes in Taiwan, she will have to serve her sentence in Taiwan. Chinese spouse Xu Chun-ying was accused of long-term contact with Chinese Communist Party personnel, reporting on Taiwan's political situation, and receiving instructions to interfere in elections. The New Taipei District Court announced the verdict on the 11th, sentencing Xu Chun-ying to 7 years of imprisonment for offenses including the Banking Act, the Anti-Infiltration Act, and fraud. In response, Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang said in an interview at the Legislative Yuan today that according to the Cross-Strait Act and Article 33 of the "Regulations Governing the Permission for People from Mainland China to Reside, Long-Term Reside, or Settle in Taiwan Through Kinship," immigrants from China who pose a risk to national security or social stability will not be granted permission to settle. This means Xu Chun-ying's residency or permanent residency status can be revoked according to law. She said: '(Original sound) The official document is currently being processed, as we must wait for the content of the formal court judgment. Taiwan is a country governed by law. Many people are asking if Xu Chun-ying will serve her sentence in Taiwan after the verdict becomes final. That is correct, because she committed crimes in Taiwan.' According to a press release from the New Taipei District Court, Xu Chun-ying obtained her Taiwanese ID card after entering Taiwan in 1998 and served as a director of the Taiwan New Immigrants Development Association and chairperson of the Cross-Strait Marriage Alliance. She and Zhong Jin-ming, chairman of the Cross-Strait Marriage Coordination and Promotion Association, frequently traveled to China for activities under the guise of serving Chinese spouses. Later, under instructions from the Chinese side, they campaigned for specific candidates such as Huang Shan-shan and Ko Wen-je during the Taipei mayoral and presidential elections, and continuously reported on Taiwan's election and political situation. The collegiate bench pointed out that Xu Chun-ying and Zhong Jin-ming enjoyed the stable life, rule of law, and human rights protection in Taiwan's free region. However, they used their influence within the Chinese spouse community to actively support specific candidates and interfere in Taiwan's elections under the direction of an external hostile force, severely undermining Taiwan's constitutional order and endangering its national sovereignty.