Taiwan Accuses China of Using Sanctions to Influence Elections over VWAY Case
Taiwan has accused China of trying to influence its democratic elections by imposing sanctions on VWAY Co, a company owned by Shen Tu-cheng, the father of ruling Democratic Progressive Party legislator Puma Shen, the Taipei Times reported on October 17. Shen is a candidate in the Taipei mayoral election.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office had already sanctioned another of Shen Tu-cheng's companies, Sicuens International, in June 2025. Spokesperson Chen Binhua alleged the businessman continued doing business with Chinese companies through VWAY, which Hong Kong newspapers Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po — both owned by the Hong Kong Liaison Office — reported had recorded trade worth around USD 700,000 over 10 months through March. Beijing has now banned VWAY from conducting business or cooperating with organisations in mainland China.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said the sanctions were part of an attempt to pressure Taiwan and influence voters during elections, alleging Hong Kong newspapers first publish reports targeting individuals or businesses before official sanctions follow. Shen's campaign office said the election should be decided by Taipei's voters, not Beijing's pressure. (GSM, based on Taipei Times reporting)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 台北城市天际线与台北101。 Photo by othree, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
