Pro-Beijing party may be infiltrating temples in Taiwan: report

Some senior staff of well-known temples members of Chinese Unification Promotion Party

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/10/23
By: Teng Pei-ju, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A pro-Beijing political party in Taiwan is reportedly exerting a strong

influence on dozens of temples across the island, sparking fears that religious communities are being utilized to promote Beijing’s political agenda and facilitate money laundering from China.

According to a report by Mirror Media, the founder and chairman of the Chinese Unification Promotion Party (CUPP), Chang An-lo (張安樂), has openly admitted that he maintains good relations with the management of about 30 temples across Taiwan, including those frequented by visitors from different parts of the island and overseas tourists.

The chairman, who has called China his “god,” said some of these temples’ senior staff have joined the party, occasionally organizing events to promote cross-strait exchanges.

Several temples were pointed out by Chang, including the Longqi Wenheng Temple in Tainan, Sheng Wu Temple in Taichung, Xingang Fengtian Temple in Chiayi, and Beigang Chaotian Temple in Yunlin. The chairman says members of the temples often invite him to temple fairs and ask him for assistance with events involving China.    [FULL STORY]