China mainland issues wanted notices for two Taiwan residents over smuggling allegations

(ECNS) — Chinese public security authorities have issued bounty notices for two Taiwan residents accused of repeated smuggling offenses, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said Wednesday.

Peng Qing'en said the suspects, identified as Jian Wensheng and Chen Shunjin, are accused of controlling vessels — including the Hongtai 58 — to conduct long-term smuggling of frozen goods into the Chinese mainland.

Authorities are appealing to people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to come forward with information concerning related criminal activities. He added that law enforcement agencies will safeguard the identity of informants and their legitimate rights in strict accordance with the law.

Peng made the statement at a routine press briefing when asked about the case and accusations made in February by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, who claimed that damage to cross-Straits undersea cables involving the Hongtai 58 amounted to "deliberate sabotage" by the mainland and constituted so-called "gray-zone harassment."

Peng said the February incident involving the vessel was the result of smuggling activities carried out by Jian and Chen, who were operating the ship at the time. He rejected the DPP's characterization of the incident, calling it a misrepresentation of the facts.

Earlier Wednesday, the Weihai Municipal Public Security Bureau in Shandong Province issued a reward notice saying that an investigation into seven mainland crew members of the vessel Hongtai 58 in June 2025 uncovered a smuggling ring led by Jian Wensheng and Chen Shunjin. The two suspects had previously been placed on an online wanted list in 2014 by the Zhangzhou Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Customs on suspicion of smuggling solid waste.

According to the bureau, the gang controlled several vessels, including the Togo-registered Hongtai 58, and had long been involved in smuggling frozen goods into the mainland.

Weihai police said they are now offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of Jian and Chen. Individuals who provide effective clues or assist police in apprehending the suspects will be rewarded between 50,000 yuan (about $7,113.9) and 250,000 yuan.

(By Evelyn)