Taiwan, mainland China swap jailed spies after historic presidential summit
Taiwan has swapped jailed spies with political foe mainland China in an unprecedented goodwill gesture following this month's historic meeting between the leaders of the two sides, the island's government said on Monday.
Beijing released Colonel Zhu Gongxun and Colonel Xu Changguo of Taiwan's Military Intelligence after they had been held for more than nine years, while Taiwan gave advance parole to mainland spy Li Zhihao, according to a statement from the office of Taiwan's president.
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“This is based on a mutual goodwill gesture delivered by the Ma-Xi meeting,” presidential spokesman Charles Chen said in the statement.
“President Ma [Ying-jeou] hopes cross-strait mutual exchanges can continue and make more concrete achievements in the future,” Chen added.
Mainland China's Taiwan Affairs Office could not be reached for comment by telephone.
This is based on a mutual goodwill gesture delivered by the Ma-Xi meeting
Ma and President Xi Jinping met in November, the first meeting of the two sides leaders in more than 60 years.
