Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council urges end to speculation over official’s alleged China leaks
Call comes after council's vice-chairman resigns pending inquiry and main opposition party demands prosecutors subpoena President Ma Ying-jeou for questioning over his role in case
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) called on local media today to stop speculating about an ongoing inquiry into alleged leaks of classified information to the mainland by a former senior negotiator.
The appeal came as the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) demanded that the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office subpoena President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Jiang Yi-huah for questioning about their roles in the case.
Rumours have been flying after the council announced earlier last week that its vice-chairman, Chang Hsien-yao, had resigned, pending an investigation into whether he had leaked secrets.
As the council failed to reveal what exactly Chang had done that had led to the investigation, speculation and conspiracy theories began circulating immediately, including one involving a power struggle between Chang and his boss, Wang Yu-chi.
Some local media called the situation a case of serious espionage, saying if Chang had leaked any classified information, it could even constitute treason.
Other media reported that the United States had informed the council about alleged leaks, and that it had been watching Chang for two years because it suspected him of being a mainland spy.