Hsu Chun-ying denies being former CCP member

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Hsu Chun-ying, an honorary president of the "Taiwanese New Immigrants Development Association" rebuked claims of being a former member of China's Communist Party (CCP) on Friday (Nov. 3).

During an interview with local Chinese-language media, Hsu rebuked claims saying she had served as a high-ranking Chinese official, and expressed anger toward Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te's allegations of her being a CPP member.

Hsu was thrust under the spotlight after Taiwan People's Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je put her forward as an at-large legislative candidate, which provoked intense political debate.

"If you can find any evidence that I was once a Communist Party member in mainland China, you can revoke my Taiwanese ID and even deport me!" Hsu challenged. "But if you can't, you owe me my innocence!"

She viewed Taiwan's stereotypes and negative perceptions of new immigrants from China with criticism, questioning whether all spouses of mainland Chinese are perceived as CPP members or spies.