Beijing bribed Taiwanese military officer to STEAL Chinook chopper

12/14/2023 / By Ramon Tomey

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) allegedly offered a $15 million bribe to an officer in the Republic of China Armed Forces (ROCAF) in exchange for stealing an American-made Chinook military helicopter.

According to the Epoch Times, the details of the plot were disclosed in a Taiwan court on Dec. 11. The scheme involved 10 people, mostly active-duty and retired members of the ROCAF, who were allegedly recruited spies from Beijing.

The Taiwan High Prosecutors Office said a lieutenant colonel surnamed Hsieh, who was part of the 10 individuals indicted for espionage in November, was the pilot bribed by CCP operatives. The military officer was recruited by Taiwanese businessman Hsieh Bingcheng (no relation), who was approached by the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS). In exchange for money and favorable business conditions in the mainland, the businessman was instructed to establish spy rings for Beijing and recruit military personnel to obtain sensitive information.

The two Hsiehs met with two senior MSS officials in Thailand, with the government staffers promising Thai visas for the military officer and his family. The MSS operatives also promised to help the pilot’s family evacuate to Thailand in case the conflict between China and Taiwan escalates.

Moreover, the Chinese officials offered the ROCAF official a monthly payment of NT$200,000 ($6,355) – on the condition that he defected by landing the CH-47 Chinook helicopter on a Chinese aircraft carrier. Under the plan, the pilot would land the aircraft on the People’s Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier Shandong when it approached the Taiwan Strait in a June 21 military drill. A $15 million reward awaited the pilot if he succeeded.

However, Taipei was tipped off about the plan. The pilot was subsequently arrested before he could push through with his intended defection.

The defection became public when the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Taiwanese Legislative Yuan invited the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to deliver a special report on the case on Dec. 11.

Taiwanese National Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-Cheng told Yuan members that those involved in the case are mostly members of the ROC Army. The Epoch Times said the case was filed in May after a tip-off was received and evidence collected. The MND and the Taiwanese National Security Bureau jointly conducted a counterintelligence investigation and requested judicial authorities investigate.

During a press briefing on the same day as the hearing, Chiu said the MND had already conducted damage control. “Those involved must be dealt with according to the law,” he remarked, promising that the ROCAF won’t hide or cover up such cases.

“In recent years, the CCP has made many moves against Taiwan and recruited our people, which indeed has a major impact. However, the military has also strengthened its defense education, and many cases have been detected and handed over to the judiciary.”

Similar instance reported in Ukraine

A similar instance was reported in Ukraine, which Remix News wrote about in September. At least one Russian pilot defected to Kyiv, delivering an Mi-8 helicopter in the process.

Russian helicopter pilot Maxim Kuzminov defected to Ukraine in August in exchange for safety, new documents and a substantial amount of money. He and agents from the country’s Main Intelligence Directorate ironed out the details of his defection, which turned out successfully.

Kuzminov’s defection guaranteed him a huge payday under Ukraine’s Operation Sinai. The endeavor promised $1 million for those who deliver a Russian plane, $500,000 for a helicopter and $100,000 for a tank. In return, Kyiv obtains not only the equipment from Moscow but also valuable information about its military. (Related: Ukraine pays huge rewards to Russian DEFECTORS who turn over military equipment.)

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Watch this news report about China making a “rare” night-time show of force near Taiwan.

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