Taiwan Air Force officer gets 7 years for leaking documents to China

Taipei, Aug. 22 (CNA) A Taiwanese Air Force officer was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Thursday for leaking military documents to China in exchange for money, in a case linked to a retired major already convicted under the National Security Act.

The Taichung District Court handed Air Force Intercept Controller Hsu Chan-cheng (許展誠) a prison term of seven years and four months, the forfeiture of criminal proceeds, and the deprivation of his civil rights for five years. The case can be appealed.

The court said that while the documents were not formally classified as defense secrets, their disclosure could still compromise Taiwan's security.

Hsu was recruited in 2021 by retired Air Force Major Shih Chun-cheng (史濬程), who had been absorbed by Chinese intelligence after leaving the military in 2008. Shih promised payments in exchange for sensitive military information.

Over nearly four years, Hsu provided internal Air Force training materials, including documents detailing fighter jets armed with Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles and operational responses to Chinese military flights around Taiwan.

The court noted that although the files were not officially labeled confidential, they revealed operational details that could help Beijing analyze Taiwan's defense capabilities and adjust its strategy.

Investigators found that Hsu received over NT$220,000 (US$7,200) in total, a small portion of the payments Shih collected from Chinese handlers.

Hsu admitted to the offenses during questioning. Prosecutors charged him under the National Security Act and the Anti-Corruption Act.

Hsu's conviction comes amid growing concerns that China continues to target Taiwanese officers -- both retired and active -- with money or business incentives.

Earlier Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld a 26-month sentence for Shih while remanding another 10-month sentence to a lower court for retrial.