Chinese-made Zhang Xue Motorcycles Illegally Imported to Taiwan via Component Splitting; MOEA Issues Four-Point Statement in Strong Response to 'Seize One, I'll Send Another' Remark

In response to recent reports that the Chinese heavy motorcycle brand Zhang Xue Motorcycles has been illegally entering Taiwan through a method of disassembling vehicles into components and importing them under the guise of spare parts, and following statements by the brand's founder Zhang Xue offering public support and financial backing, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) issued a firm four-point statement today (21st).

The MOEA emphasized that current regulations explicitly prohibit the import of complete heavy motorcycles and engines from mainland China. This case is an illegal smuggling operation jointly investigated by multiple government agencies, not a legitimate import. The MOEA stressed it will strictly enforce the law to protect market order and industry rights.

The incident originated from suspicions that domestic operators disassembled mainland Chinese-made heavy motorcycles into parts and imported them in batches to evade customs controls, then illegally reassembled them domestically. After a joint inspection team from multiple ministries seized the vehicles, Zhang Xue publicly claimed he would cover legal fees and continue funding the smuggling, even declaring 'for every one seized, I will send another,' drawing significant attention from government regulators.

In response to Zhang Xue's remarks and the operators' violations, the MOEA issued the following four-point rebuttal today (21st):

First, this case is a suspected smuggling operation jointly cracked down on by the MOEA, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transportation, and Ministry of the Interior. It is not a normal import from China to Taiwan. According to Article 35 of the 'Regulations Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area,' complete heavy motorcycles and engines from mainland China are prohibited items and may not be imported into Taiwan without permission. The involved operators allegedly disassembled motorcycles into parts, imported them in batches, and reassembled them domestically to circumvent import regulations—this is not a legitimate import product recognized by any country.

Second, according to statements from individuals questioned at the scene, they were aware that imported parts should not be assembled into complete vehicles under the law, indicating no enforcement error by government agencies. The MOEA is currently proceeding with administrative penalties.

Third, the government maintains a strict stance on managing imports from mainland China and border inspections. Any attempt to circumvent regulations through disassembly, batch transportation, or domestic assembly will be dealt with according to law. Going forward, the MOEA will continue to strengthen cross-agency collaboration with the Ministry of Finance's Customs Administration, the Ministry of Transportation, and the National Police Agency under the Ministry of the Interior to enhance intelligence sharing, joint inspections, and market surveillance to prevent illegal imports.

Fourth, the MOEA expressed that it 'finds it difficult to understand' Zhang Xue's remarks defending and financially supporting illegal smuggling activities.

The MOEA added that it will maintain strict border inspections and market surveillance standards, and will not allow operators to disrupt domestic industrial order through any circumvention methods. In addition to customs penalties, the involved operators may face administrative actions from the MOEA, including the most severe penalty of import bans. The MOEA urges all operators not to test the law.