Taiwanese Lawmaker facing Chinese Examination Addresses german Parliament Committee
Berlin, Germany – taiwanese lawmaker Shen Yi-min, who is currently “wanted” by China, addressed a committee in the lower house of the German federal parliament on Wednesday. His address, beginning at 1:29:00 in the video recording of the hearing, focused on the impact of Chinese disinformation campaigns on both Europe and Taiwan, and also the role of Russia and Hungary in spreading disinformation across the continent.
Shen, a former associate professor at National Taipei University specializing in white-collar crime, disinformation campaigns, and financial crime, told reporters after the hearing he was invited to speak in his capacity as a Taiwanese lawmaker and an expert on combating disinformation. He expressed satisfaction with Europe’s growing awareness of disinformation and cognitive warfare, while noting his frustration that similar concerns aren’t universally shared in Taiwan.
The investigation into shen stems from allegations of “secession-related” criminal activities, including his involvement with the civil defense organization Kuma academy. china’s state-run xinhua News Agency reported last month that the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau is investigating shen under China’s criminal Law and new judicial guidelines introduced in 2024 targeting “Taiwan independence separatists.”
Following the Xinhua report, a Chinese legal expert appearing on state-run CCTV on Sunday suggested Shen should be pursued through Interpol and mutual judicial assistance agreements. this prompted concerns in Taiwan regarding the possibility of Shen’s arrest and extradition.
Shen responded to the threats in a video posted on Facebook Tuesday, filmed in front of the Bundestag building. “For a very long time, China has been deploying coercive actions to try to silence Taiwanese,” he stated. “But I am here in front of the Bundestag and will soon be speaking at a hearing as a Taiwanese lawmaker.” He affirmed, “As a brave Taiwanese, I will never draw back in fear. I am here today to safeguard not onyl Taiwan’s democracy but also global democracy and freedom.”
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung reassured the public on Thursday that it was safe for Shen to visit Germany, stating that all Taiwanese lawmakers are protected by the foreign ministry and its overseas offices during international travel. Lin emphasized that extradition from a democratic country like Germany woudl require judicial cooperation, an extradition treaty, and a review of the request to ensure compliance with German law.
the Taiwan government believes China’s threats against Shen are intended to create an illusion of “long-arm jurisdiction” and to instill fear and division within the Taiwanese population, according to Lin.
(By Lin shang-yin and Joseph Yeh)
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