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Taiwan’s government has moved to disband the China Unification Promotion Party, citing concerns about its alleged connections to Beijing and activities that threaten the nation’s democratic institutions. The Interior Ministry formally petitioned Taiwan’s Constitutional Court for the party’s dissolution, accusing it of accepting directives from Chinese authorities to conduct influence operations on the island.
Founded in the mid-2000s, the party is led by Chang An-lo, a figure commonly referred to as “White Wolf,” who has been associated with organized crime and election interference allegations. Chang has publicly advocated for Taiwan’s reunification with mainland China, a position that stands in stark contrast to prevailing public sentiment on the island, where most citizens support maintaining Taiwan’s current de facto independent status through democratic means.
Authorities claim the party has engaged in numerous violations, including recruiting military personnel to conduct espionage for China, utilizing foreign funding to interfere in electoral processes, and recruiting members to develop grassroots influence operations. Since its establishment, at least eleven party members have faced investigation or prosecution for breaching national security laws, according to government records.
Despite these accusations, Chang maintains his work serves peaceful purposes and denies wrongdoing. The party currently holds no seats in Taiwan’s national legislature, with only two locally elected officials at the neighborhood level. Chang has publicly stated his support for China’s influence operations and has attempted to reframe his activities as efforts to prevent conflict across the Taiwan Strait.
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Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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