MAC Shocks with Revelation: 10 More People Go Missing in China This Week; One Judge Questioned by Chinese Police During Trip! Spokesperson Liang Warns of Risks

On July 9, Liang Wen-chieh, Deputy Minister of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), revealed that a judge from a Taiwanese district court was questioned by three Chinese police officers at his hotel during a trip to mainland China in April. The judge’s identity had been known to Chinese authorities in advance. Additionally, 10 more individuals have gone missing this week after traveling to China, and authorities are actively searching through various channels.

The MAC held its regular press conference on July 9, led by Liang Wen-chieh.

District Court Judge Questioned During Trip to Mainland

Liang Wen-chieh stated, 'The government recently received a report that a district court judge traveled to northern China in April and was visited at his hotel by three public security officers who questioned and interrogated him.' The inquiries included the judge’s occupation, differences between cross-strait judicial systems, his views on mainland China, and promotion of cross-strait exchanges.

The Chinese police officers were already aware of the judge’s identity beforehand. The questioning mainly served to verify the accuracy of information they had previously obtained.

We reiterate our warning to all civil servants across Taiwan. From 2024 to June this year, a total of 30 civil servants have been detained or questioned by Chinese authorities upon traveling to the mainland. Among them, 14 held civil servant status, accounting for 46.6% of all cases.

Chinese state security personnel primarily inquire about the purpose of civil servants’ visits to the mainland, their views on China, their work in Taiwan, and relationships with colleagues. They also inspect civil servants’ mobile phones and invite them to add WeChat contacts for future communication.

This case involving a judge is a relatively new example. The MAC once again reminds all civil servants that even non-sensitive, grassroots personnel face risks when traveling to the mainland. Recent detentions and interrogations by Chinese state security personnel are no longer limited to Taiwan’s military, police, or personnel with access to classified information, but have expanded to include grassroots civil servants without access to secrets. We reiterate our appeal: civil servants should avoid traveling to the mainland unless on official business.

10 More Individuals Go Missing This Week

Liang also pointed out that 10 more Taiwanese nationals have gone missing this week after traveling to the mainland. The circumstances vary: four traveled together as a group and all went missing; one was visiting relatives, one was seeking employment, and the remaining four have unclear reasons. Authorities are actively searching through various channels.

According to MAC statistics, from 2024 to the end of May, 361 people traveling to the mainland went missing, were detained, questioned, or had their personal freedom restricted. By the end of June, this number rose to 374. This week, with 10 more missing and one additional person questioned, the total has reached 385.