Beijing’s intimidation of Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) and her family aims to dissuade Taiwanese businesspeople from supporting the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in upcoming elections, DPP lawmakers said yesterday.
A report published on Friday by state-owned Ta Kung Pao (大公報) said that Liu had received political donations from her nephew, Yen Wen-chun (顏文群). Yen holds executive positions at three companies in China, the story said.
The report said Liu, whom it described as a supporter of Taiwanese independence, allowed relatives to profit from business in China while discouraging cross-strait relations.
Photo: Taipei Times
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said it is looking into the issue.
Taiwan media outlets said Ta Kung Pao’s allegations were false, as records show Yen made donations to Liu before 2022, when he served in an executive position for the New Taipei-based Long Time Technology, parent firm to the three Chinese subsidiary companies.
Beijing is ramping up pressure against the DPP as the crucial “nine-in-one” elections approach at the end of the year, DPP Legislator Huang Jie (黃捷) said yesterday.
“Beijing is engaged in threats and oppression against Taiwanese businesspeople in China... It shows the Chinese government’s interference in society’s economic activity and people’s lives,” Huang said.
TAO, by announcing to probe into Yen and sanctioning him, aims to intimidate Taiwanese, cause societal division and to support Taiwan People’s Party’s legislator-at-large Li Zhenxiu (李貞秀), embroiled in controversy surrounding her Chinese citizenship, said a government official who declined to be named.
“Since campaigning for the nine-in-one elections has begun, Beijing is working to prevent the business community from donating to DPP candidates and pushing for more support for the ‘blue’ political camp,” the official said.
Additional reporting BY CNA
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