TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwanese travel industry operator detained upon arrival in Hong Kong last month is making a second attempt to apply for bail.
Mainland Affairs Council Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) on Thursday provided details about the delegation member’s arrest upon entering Hong Kong, per CNA. Liang said the delegation arrived in Hong Kong on Feb. 18 around 10 p.m., and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong office was notified on Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. that a member had been arrested upon arrival.
The office then contacted local authorities. Liang said the individual in question is a woman named Chen (陳), who works at Hualien’s Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch and Resort.
Her company has arranged for an attorney in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong TECO staff have attended hearings. A previous bail review was rejected by a Hong Kong Magistrates' Court, but a second bail review was to be filed Friday.
If bail is still denied, the trial will begin on April 17.
Liang said Chen has worked at the farm for about 20 years, primarily handling public relations and auditing tasks. He said it appears unlikely the arrest was related to national security or politically sensitive issues.
Liang said if the arrest was connected to a money laundering case from 25 years ago involving NT$320,000 (US$10,000), as earlier reports suggested, this would be an unexpected turn of events. Liang said he hopes the Hong Kong government will explain once the relevant procedures are completed.
According to Hong Kong media outlet Hong Kong 01, Chen was arrested for suspected money laundering in 2019. The case involved posing as Chinese officials who defrauded victims of HK$3.29 million (NT$13.91 million). One of the accounts involved belonged to a 55-year-old Taiwanese woman surnamed Chen.
Liang said that there has been no confirmation of the details reported by the Hong Kong media.
