Japanese-born senior journalist and Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank, Akio Yaita, was assaulted while preparing to leave his hotel after delivering a speech in Taichung, central Taiwan on July 6. Some media outlets have reported that the incident may have involved overseas forces, including members of Hong Kong triads.
Taiwan Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said on Tuesday, July 14 that prosecutors and police would investigate the case in accordance with the law. She stated that the government attaches great importance to any transnational repression carried out by authoritarian groups, supports law enforcement authorities in conducting a comprehensive investigation, and is working with like-minded countries to jointly combat transnational crime, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported.
Presidential Office: Thorough investigation into alleged transnational repression
The alleged mastermind behind the attack arranged for a male suspect surnamed Liao, recruited by a Hong Kong triad figure, to carry out what was described as a cross-border terrorist attack targeting Akio Yaita, reported Chung T’ien Television, a Taiwanese media on July 14.
Five accomplices were mobilized to travel to Taiwan to provide support. Tasks—including reconnaissance of the location, carrying out the assault, and escaping the scene—were allegedly assigned through a WhatsApp group and carefully coordinated.
Vision Times couldn’t independently verify these claims.
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According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA), Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo told reporters that prosecutors and police are currently investigating the case in accordance with the law. She emphasized that the government takes transnational repression launched by authoritarian groups—aimed at attacking dissidents around the world—very seriously and fully supports law enforcement agencies in pursuing a comprehensive investigation. She added that Taiwan is also cooperating with like-minded countries to combat this type of transnational crime.
Karen Kuo stated that Taiwan is a democratic society governed by the rule of law and will never tolerate any overseas authoritarian force using organized crime, violence, or intimidation to oppress or attack anyone in Taiwan who values freedom and democracy. To safeguard national security and protect the public, authorities will investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those involved in such illegal acts—including the direct perpetrators, those who planned the attack behind the scenes, and any individuals in Taiwan who assisted by providing information, shelter, or other forms of support.
Hong Kong triad allegedly hired to carry out cross-border terror attack
Mirror Weekly reported on July 14 that the incident was more than a simple assault. According to the report, the alleged mastermind was a Hong Kong triad member surnamed Chen, identified as being affiliated with Wo Shing Wo (和勝和), who allegedly paid HK$50,000 to recruit Liao to carry out what it described as a cross-border terrorist attack targeting Akio Yaita. The report further alleged that Chen mobilized five additional associates to travel to Taiwan to provide support, coordinating their roles through a WhatsApp group. It claimed that every stage of the operation—from reconnaissance and the assault itself to the suspects’ escape—was carefully planned.
The report further stated that the WhatsApp “work group” allegedly used to coordinate the attack consisted of seven members. It identified the alleged planner as Chen Weihao (陳偉豪), described as a Wo Shing Wo operative responsible for financing the operation, assigning personnel, and issuing instructions remotely without traveling to Taiwan himself.
The six individuals traveled to Taiwan to execute the operation, claimed the media. Liao Gangfa (廖港發) allegedly carried out the physical assault, while the other five served in logistical support roles, including arranging accommodation and transportation, conducting site reconnaissance, and acting as lookouts.
According to information obtained by the magazine, the six alleged assailants who entered Taiwan were very familiar with Taichung. After arriving on July 4, they dined at the well-known restaurants Akaoni Steak (赤鬼牛排) and Diaomin Sauerkraut Fish (刁民酸菜魚), where they allegedly conducted tabletop rehearsals of various possible scenarios. They also reserved a private room at the Tempus Hotel (永豐棧酒店) in an apparent effort to observe the layout and traffic flow of the lecture venue.
A member of the investigative task force was quoted as saying, “The suspect almost got away that day.”
According to the report, Liao Gangfa’s four accomplices had already left Taiwan the day before the assault, leaving only Liao and one lookout in the country. After Liao allegedly attacked Akio Yaita, the lookout reportedly remained at the scene to monitor the progress of the police investigation, while investigators were initially unaware of his presence.
Once the lookout realized that police were making rapid progress in the investigation, he allegedly notified the WhatsApp group. Liao Gangfa had originally been scheduled to fly back to Hong Kong the following morning at 10:25 a.m. on HK Express, but he allegedly hurriedly changed his booking to a 4:00 p.m. Jin Air flight to Busan, South Korea, and nearly succeeded in leaving Taiwan.
According to investigators’ preliminary assessment, the attack was highly likely to have been directed by officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Authorities are continuing to investigate and clarify the motive behind the alleged crime.
Major criminal cases allegedly involving Wo Shing Wo
Wo Shing Wo (和勝和) is one of Hong Kong’s largest triad (organized crime) organizations. It has long been associated with a broad range of alleged criminal activities, including violent intimidation, various forms of illicit economic activity, and cross-border violent crimes.
Among the cases in which the group has been implicated is the Yuen Long July 21 incident during Hong Kong’s 2019 anti-extradition protests. Members of the triad were alleged to have participated in indiscriminate attacks on protesters and members of the public.
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According to publicly available information, on the evening of July 21, 2019, following a large anti-extradition demonstration, groups of men dressed in white and carrying rattan sticks, metal rods, and other weapons gathered in Yuen Long. Late that night, these white-clad attackers stormed Yuen Long MTR Station on the West Rail Line and nearby shopping malls, indiscriminately assaulting passengers and pedestrians. The incident left at least 45 people injured.
Subsequent investigations indicated that many of the attackers were individuals linked to local rural interests in Yuen Long and people with alleged triad affiliations, including members associated with Wo Shing Wo and 14K, both of which have long been active in the district.
According to Sing Tao Daily, in July 2026, Hong Kong police, through an undercover operation, dismantled a boxed-meal cartel operating at construction sites in East Kowloon that was allegedly controlled by senior members of Wo Shing Wo. Authorities also shut down four illegal gambling dens in West Kowloon. The case involved an estimated HK$10 million (tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars) in illicit proceeds, and more than 100 people were arrested.
According to SET News (Sanli News), in September 2024, the gang allegedly dispatched couriers to Taiwan under the guise of tourism and used postal parcels to smuggle narcotics with an estimated street value of approximately NT$150 million (US$5.1 million). The smuggling operation was uncovered and disrupted by Taiwanese police.
