Alleged spy boss Xiang Xin and wife ‘in Taiwan for beauty, health’

A couple accused of running an espionage operation in Taipei give their reasons for being there.

China Innovation Investment Ltd officials Xiang Xin and his wife Kung Ching arrive at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Taipei, Taiwan. Picture: AP

Chinese defector Wang Liqiang’s alleged former boss Xiang Xin and his wife Kung Ching claimed they were in Taipei for a “beauty services and health check ups” as they were questioned by Taiwanese investigators over an alleged Chinese spy ring.

The claim followed questions from 60 Minutes, asking Mr Xiang whether he was running a Chinese spy ring out of Taiwan that involved Mr Wang, who is now seeking asylum in Australia.

Taiwan’s prosecutor’s office questioned the couple for four hours on suspicion of violating the country’s National Security Act, Taiwan’s Liberty Times reported.

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The news outlet said the Hong Kong-based couple told investigators that their visit was because “Gong Qing (Kung Ching) likes Taiwan’s medical examinations”.

Another Taiwan news outlet, China Times, said the couple told investigators they “both have a lot of confidence in Taiwan’s beauty and health products, and (Kung Ching) especially likes Taiwan’s beauty services”.

Xiang Xin and his wife Kung Ching, right, claimed they were in Taipei for a “beauty services and health check ups”. Picture: AP

The pair were stopped by the Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice — Taiwan’s equivalent of the FBI — trying to leave Taiwan’s Taoyuan Airport on Monday, local time.

Mr Wang has alleged the couple were running an intelligence operation on behalf of China in Taiwan and Hong Kong through a private company, China Innovation and Investment Limited.

Taiwanese authorities are sensitive to the allegations ahead of the country’s January 11 elections, amid concerns pro-China interests will seek to influence the result.

Wang Liqiang. who claims to have been involved in espionage operations for China in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia, during an interview with 60 minutes. Picture: 60 Minutes Australia

Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst Alex Joske questioned the couple’s claimed reason for being in Taiwan.

“It’s bizarre — especially given the timing — that they would travel to Taiwan for health check-ups when Hong Kong has modern, world-class medical facilities,” he said.

In a statement, China Innovation and Investment Limited said Mr Xiang and Mrs Kung “knew nothing” about issues in the news reports.

The Australian is not suggesting the allegations against Mr Xiang are true, only that they are being investigated.

ASIO says it “takes seriously” allegations reported by Nine newspapers and 60 Minutes about Mr Wang, and allegations that China sought to plant a spy inside the Australian government.

Malcolm Turnbull said on Wednesday he was not made aware when he was prime minister of the alleged plot to have a Chinese spy elected as an MP, describing the reports as “very disturbing.”

He urged the Morrison government to enforce the foreign interference laws he introduced in June 2018, amid growing concern among MPs on both sides that no one has yet been charged under the legislation.

“I think it’s very important for the government to demonstrate they’re doing it,” he told Sky News.

“The government has to demonstrate all the time that it is doing everything it can to keep Australians safe and to preserve the integrity of our democracy.”

Bo “Nick” Zhao was found dead in a Melbourne motel room in March, about a year after he was allegedly ­approached by a Chinese businessman who offered to front him $1 million to run as a candidate in the federal seat of Chisholm, reportedly as an agent of influence of the Chinese Communist Party.