Wang Liqiang spy claims: Taiwanese police detain Chinese defector’s alleged former boss
The alleged former boss of self-confessed spy Wang Liqiang has been stopped from leaving Taiwan with his wife.
Taiwanese police have detained Chinese defector Wang Liqiang’s alleged former boss, who Mr Wang claims recruited him to undertake espionage work in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia.
Taiwan media reports China Innovation and Investment Limited CEO Xiang Xin and his wife Kung Ching, have been prevented from leaving the country on suspicion of violating national security law.
They were questioned at Guo’an Station before being transferred to the Taipei Metropolitan Prosecutor’s at 9.30pm local time on Monday.
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The pair were stopped at Taipei airport by the Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice — Taiwan’s equivalent of the United States’ FBI.
According to United Daily News, the Investigation Bureau has launched an investigation under national security laws, and is seeking information “from the relevant Australian authorities”.
“The National Security Service also filed a case investigation and asked the prosecutor to report to the Taipei prosecutor’s office investigation,” the news outlet reported.
Taiwan’s CNA said prosecutor Xu Yi “ordered two people to restrict exit” at 2am today.
The Australian Federal Police has also opened a formal investigation into the claims by Mr Wang Liqiang that Chinese intelligence services sought to interfere in Australian politics.
In a statement, Mr Xiang’s company, China Innovation and Investment Limited: “Mr Xiang and Mrs Kung have hired Taiwan lawyers to provide assistance.”
CIIL said Mr Xiang and Mrs Kung “knew nothing” about issues in the news reports.
“Wang Liqiang was never an employee of the group,” it said.
“The news reports were all fictitious and forged.”
The Australian is not suggesting the allegations against Mr Xiang are true, only that they are being investigated.
Wang is understood to be at an undisclosed location in Sydney. He has formally applied for asylum.
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