3 pro-China party members get prison for national security violations

Taipei, March 27 (CNA) The Taiwan High Court Kaohsiung Branch Court on Thursday sentenced three members of the Chinese Unification Promotion Party to prison for violating the National Security Act.

The three men were Chiang (江), Wen (温) and Chu (朱), who were handed sentences of 1 year, 10 months and 6 months, respectively, while Chu was also fined NT$50,000 (US$1,510).

For conversion into fines, one day counts for NT$1,000, according to a news release issued by the court.

The ruling can be appealed.

The statement said that Wen, a party officer, was recruited by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) when he was doing business in China, in order to more smoothly conduct business and receive favors.

He then invited Chu, a retired navy lieutenant, as well as Chiang, a retired Air Force colonel to China and successfully recruited them. The two ex-military officers also joined the Chinese Unification Promotion Party, the statement said.

The court noted that Wen had spent a year in military school and 22 months as a military policeman. The three men all had military backgrounds but turned to obey Chinese officials and attempted to recruit former and current military officers for the CCP.

Chu and Wen received reduced sentences for admitting to their acts, the statement said.

Chiang had attempted to recruit a Songshan Air Force Base officer through measures, including assisting with promotion, cash rewards and inviting him abroad, but he was rejected, the statement said.