According to Focus Taiwan, the husband of Taiwanese actress Liu Xiangjun, former Sanlih E-Television producer Li Nengqian, was previously exposed in a “fake Jensen Huang impersonation” investment scam that illegally profited over NT$13 million. During the investigation, prosecutors unexpectedly discovered that Li was suspected of involvement in a “spy case.”
The Taipei District Prosecutors Office has indicted Li Nengqian and four others for violations of the National Security Act and related charges, and has sought a 12-year prison sentence for Li. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen had previously warned that the Chinese Communist Party’s infiltration of Taiwan is systematic, planned, and targeted, expanding from mid-level military officers in the past to lower-ranking non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel in recent times.
Li Nengqian accused of collecting military intelligence for the CCP
According to a report by the Central News Agency, the case originated from Li Nengqian and others allegedly impersonating well-known figures such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, using fake Facebook fan pages and investment advertisements to defraud the public of more than NT$13 million.
Last June, prosecutors and police conducted searches and interrogations. After questioning, Li was released on NT$200,000 bail and restricted from leaving Taiwan or traveling overseas.
During analysis of seized evidence, investigators unexpectedly discovered that Li was also involved in national security law violations. He was subsequently detained and held incommunicado. Prosecutors stated that in May 2024, Li and an associate, Zhang Jialing, traveled to Guangzhou, China, where they dined with Chinese military intelligence personnel known as “Xiao Lan,” along with their assistant and superior.
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“Xiao Lan” allegedly told Li and Zhang that they were members of the Chinese military and requested their assistance in collecting intelligence on Taiwan’s military. In exchange, payments would be made depending on the sensitivity of the information. Li and Zhang, seeking financial gain, agreed to the request.
After returning to Taiwan, Li instructed his associate Peng Yongcong to investigate and collect personal data and sensitive military information about service members. On May 22, 2024, Peng purchased a list containing personal information of 50 soldiers from a friend via WeChat for NT$5,000 and sent it to Li.
Li then contacted “Xiao Lan,” requesting RMB 5,000 for the data, but the request was rejected as too expensive.
Prosecutors further stated that in April 2025, Li created a Telegram group for “Xiao Lan,” screening active-duty military personnel to join. Within the group, messages such as “This can help better protect Taiwan and deepen Taiwan–U.S. defense cooperation” were used to attract military members to provide intelligence as instructed.
The group included “Xiao Lan” and nine other Chinese individuals. However, military personnel in the group reportedly did not actively respond, and the attempt failed.
Additionally, before November 2024, Zhang introduced a retired Air Force friend, Ke Mengyu, to Li. Both Li and Zhang explained their cooperation with “Xiao Lan” to him. A few days later, Ke brought military-related information obtained during his service and handed it to Li, who photographed it and sent it to “Xiao Lan.”
Five indicted under National Security Act and related charges
Prosecutors concluded that Li Nengqian, his employee Xu Yinhao, Zhang Jialing, Peng Yongcong, and retired serviceman Ke Mengyu engaged in the collection and transfer of military personnel data, military intelligence, and intelligence personnel identities for personal gain, seriously endangering national security.
They were indicted under Taiwan’s National Intelligence Work Act and National Security Act. Li faces a requested sentence of more than 12 years in prison.
According to Liberty Times, Liu Xiangjun stated that the case is still under trial and that she is under a gag order, so she cannot comment in detail: “We are doing normal things. I can’t say much—let’s wait until things are clearer.” Actress Liu Xiangjun has previously appeared in popular drama series such as Blue Spider Web and Roseate Grudge Eyes, and recently played a volunteer role in the Tzu Chi drama I Devote Myself.
CCP infiltration described as systematic, planned, and targeted
According to Radio France Internationale (RFI), Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen previously warned that the CCP’s infiltration of Taiwan’s military is systematic, planned, and targeted.
In earlier stages, infiltration focused on mid-level officers with access to sensitive intelligence. Recently, it has expanded to lower-ranking non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel, with increasing frequency.
Tsai identified three core characteristics of CCP infiltration efforts.
First is “systematic”: the CCP integrates national security, intelligence operations, and united front systems to build an extensive organizational network, conducting long-term intelligence gathering, espionage, and recruitment in Taiwan.
Second is “planned”: the CCP uses targeted online and offline contacts to screen individuals through various exchange activities, forming a network of local collaborators for intelligence collection.
Third is “targeted”: while earlier efforts focused on mid-level officers, recent operations increasingly target lower-ranking military personnel, with a growing number of such cases under investigation.
Tsai emphasized that government agencies should establish a more comprehensive legal framework for counterintelligence and protection, and that the National Security Bureau will continue strengthening defenses to safeguard national security.
By Li Jingyao
