Taipei: Taiwan’s government has issued a strong condemnation against Beijing following the announcement of an investigation into Yen Wen-chun, the nephew of Taiwan’s Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang. Yen, who holds executive roles in several Chinese companies, is under scrutiny by Chinese authorities who have labeled Minister Liu a “separatist” due to her staunch support for Taiwan’s independence.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has criticized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for using coercion against Taiwanese officials. The ministry’s spokesperson, Maa Shyh-yuan, described the investigation as an attempt to instill fear among Taiwan’s public servants. The allegations surfaced after a report by Hong Kong-based Ta Kung Pao suggested that Liu received political donations from Yen and accused her of allowing relatives to profit from Chinese businesses while opposing cross-strait relations.
Maa Shyh-yuan refrained from addressing the allegations directly but affirmed that the ministry remains committed to its legal duties and the defense of Taiwan’s democracy, resisting any form of political intimidation. Meanwhile, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) acknowledged the investigation, emphasizing that Taiwan independence supporters and their families are barred from benefiting from mainland businesses while damaging cross-strait relations.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) of Taiwan responded by asserting that Beijing’s actions threaten Taiwanese involved in cross-strait engagements and undermine positive relations. The council underscored the government’s support for normal cross-strait activities, which contribute to local economies, and criticized China’s intimidating tactics for exacerbating public distrust.
In response to the situation, Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), called for an immediate and thorough investigation to clarify the facts and assess any potential political influences. KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-hsiang highlighted the need to investigate any dealings with foreign entities or suspicious financial activities, emphasizing the importance of applying consistent standards.
On a related note, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) lawmaker Li Chen-hsiu urged both Taiwanese and Chinese authorities to respect the legal rights and protections of Taiwanese individuals, regardless of their location. She called on the CCP to demonstrate greater goodwill towards the Taiwanese populace.