Former Chinese Navy Officer Ruan Sentenced for Illegal Entry into Taiwan
A 60-year-old former Chinese navy officer surnamed Ruan was sentenced to eight months in prison for illegally entering Taiwan. Ruan traveled from Fujian, China, to New Taipei by speedboat, arriving at the Tamsui ferry pier on June 9, twelve hours after his departure.
Ruan claimed he wanted to escape the communist-ruled country and seek political asylum in Taiwan. He told police that Chinese authorities had found news items critical of the government on his phone in May and had restricted his movements, barring him from leaving the country.
During his court case, Ruan handed over a drawing of Chinese naval positions along the Fujian coast. Investigators found that Ruan had once served as a captain in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Appeals against the verdict by the Shilin District Court are still possible, as Ruan did not appear in court.
In a related incident, a debt-ridden Chinese man named Wang was found on a rubber dinghy near New Taipei. Wang, who was suffering from severe dehydration, said he came to Taiwan to start a new life. He was discovered by Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) and New Taipei firefighters near the Houkeng River estuary.
Doubts Revealed
Chinese Navy Officer -: A person who used to work in the navy, which is the part of the military that fights at sea, for China.
Illegal Entry -: Going into a country without permission or breaking the rules of that country.
Taiwan -: An island near China that has its own government and rules.
Political Asylum -: Asking another country to protect you because you are not safe in your own country.
Fujian -: A province in China, which is like a state in India.
New Taipei -: A city in Taiwan, similar to how Mumbai is a city in India.
Speedboat -: A small, fast boat that can travel quickly on water.
Critical News -: Important or sensitive information that could cause trouble if found by the wrong people.
Restricted Movements -: Not being allowed to move around freely.
Debt-ridden -: Having a lot of money that you owe to others.
Rubber Dinghy -: A small, inflatable boat made of rubber.
Dehydrated -: Not having enough water in your body, which can make you very sick.