A Taiwanese court ordered Taiwan People’s Communist Party Chairman Lin Te-wang detained after prosecutors alleged he accepted Chinese Communist Party instructions and funding to run for a ward chief post in Tainan, Focus Taiwan reported Sunday, Nov. 8. The allegations have not been proven in court.
The allegations
The Tainan District Prosecutors Office sought Lin’s detention on suspicion of violating the Anti-Infiltration Act and the Election and Recall Act, Focus Taiwan reported. Prosecutors cited concern that he could flee or collude to destroy evidence. The Tainan District Court granted the request and barred outside contact.
Prosecutors alleged Lin directed another party member to run for a ward chief post in Hsinchu, the Associated Press reported, citing Taiwan’s Central News Agency. They also alleged the pair recruited voters for all-expenses-paid trips to China, which authorities suspect was an attempt to buy votes, Focus Taiwan reported.
The investigation
Prosecutors in Tainan and Hsinchu carried out simultaneous searches Friday after receiving information that overseas forces sought to influence the elections, Focus Taiwan reported. The second party member was released on NT$50,000 (US$1,525) bail, and Hsinchu prosecutors were expected to appeal, Focus Taiwan reported.
Background
The party is not influential in Taiwan, the AP reported. Lin and another party leader faced charges of Chinese infiltration and attempting to influence elections but were found not guilty in 2025, the AP reported, citing the Taipei Times. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately comment, the AP reported.
Taiwan holds elections for mayors and local chiefs on Nov. 28, the AP reported. More coverage is in The Boston Report’s World News section.
Sources
- Focus Taiwan (CNA): Taiwan People’s Communist Party chief detained in China funding probe
- Associated Press (via ABC News): Taiwan detains Communist Party leader over alleged Chinese sponsorship in election
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