Taiwan's Wang Yu-chi resigns over espionage row

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) minister, Wang Yu-chi (pictured above, left, with Chang Hsien-yao) resigned on Tuesday after a court ruling cleared his former deputy of spying for China.

"I do not agree with the prosecutor's decision, but I fully respect it," Wang, who handles ties between Beijing and Taipei, told a news briefing that was broadcast on television.

"I disagree with the reasons of the prosecutors that enabled them to make the decision," Wang said, adding that he would like to resign "to take responsibility."

Wang had alleged in August 2014 that his deputy minister, Chang Hsien-yao, was leaking national secrets to China. Chang had vehemently protested the accusations at the time, but stepped down from his post.

Investigators cleared Chang of all charges on Tuesday, saying that there wasn't enough evidence against him to prove he was actually leaking sensitive information to China.

Wang's resignation comes at a time when China's relations with Taiwan have been witnessing constant improvement under Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's government. Ma has also said that the espionage row would not affect ties with the mainland.

However, popular opinion in Taipei has grown anxious over China's influence on the island. Last year, a proposed trade pact with the mainland triggered mass protests by students in front of the parliament in Taipei.

Beijing,, which split from Taiwan in 1949. still considers Taiwan a part of its territory and is ready to exercise force to reunite, if necessary.

mg/ (AFP, Reuters)