NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan New Taipei District Court (新北地方法院) sentenced a Chinese national to eight months in prison for violating the "Immigration Act" (入出國及移民法) on Monday (Feb. 17) after he entered the country without permission. The court delivered the verdict, considering his voluntary confession and economic situation.
In September last year, the defendant, surnamed Wang (王), embarked on a journey from Taizhou (台州), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), China, using a rubber boat to seek freedom in Taiwan.
He purchased essential supplies, including an outboard motor, solar charging panel, and fuel barrels, from the Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao. Wang meticulously planned his journey by studying Taiwan's maritime conditions using Google and Windy applications.
Wang later arrived near Shantou (汕頭) in Linkou District (林口區), New Taipei City, on Sept. 14 at approximately 6 a.m. His rubber boat ran aground, preventing him from reaching the shore and prompting him to call 119 for assistance.
Upon arrival, firefighters found Wang about 100 meters from the shore, suffering from sunburn and expressing his admiration for Taiwan's free world.
The court's ruling emphasized that Wang's case does not fall under Article 95 of the "Criminal Code of the Republic of China" (刑法), leaving the decision of forced deportation under Article 18 of the "Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area" (台灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例) to administrative authorities. Wang's case remains open for appeal, and the possibility of deportation looms as authorities deliberate on his fate.
