China's Cheap Trips Tempt Taiwan Politicians, Sparking Election Interference Concerns

China has reportedly sponsored discounted trips to China for hundreds of Taiwanese politicians ahead of key elections, raising concerns of election interference. Taiwanese officials have warned that China may attempt to sway voters towards candidates seeking closer ties with Beijing. Taiwanese law prohibits election campaigns from receiving money from "external hostile forces," including China. Security agencies in Taiwan are investigating over 400 visits to China in the past month, with suspicions that these trips were subsidized by units under China's Taiwan Affairs Office. Prosecutors are investigating potential violations of election and security laws. Building criminal cases against trip-takers is challenging due to difficulties in establishing a money trail and determining the content of meetings with Chinese officials.