Taiwanese authorities have indicted two former government aides, including one closely tied to President Lai Ching-te, over allegations of leaking classified national security information to China.

The charges mark a significant development in a growing espionage threat facing the island amid rising cross-strait tensions.

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office announced on Tuesday that a former aide from President Lai’s office and a secretary who previously worked with former Foreign Minister Joseph Wu were formally charged under the Classified National Security Information Protection Act.

Both individuals are Taiwanese nationals. Prosecutors are seeking prison sentences of at least five and nine years, respectively.

Wider context

Investigators say the suspects were recruited by two former members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), known for its support of Taiwan’s recognition as a sovereign state separate from China.

The recruiters allegedly provided sensitive national security information to Chinese entities in exchange for monetary rewards. Payments reportedly reached NT$6 million (approximately $200,000) and NT$2.2 million for each recruited aide.

Prosecutors are pushing for a sentence of over 18.5 years for one of the ex-DPP recruiters and eight years for the other. One of the individuals is also under separate investigation for attempting to establish a broader espionage network inside Taiwan.

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