Wang "William" Liqiang, the self-proclaimed former Chinese spy who fled to Australia, surfaced again ahead of the Taiwan election. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photo by Getty Images and Akira Kodaka)

'China spy' and a last-ditch attempt to swing Taiwan's election

With island's 'pro-China' constituency shrinking, Beijing senses trouble

KATSUJI NAKAZAWA, Nikkei senior staff writer

January 16, 2020 06:05 JST

TAIPEI -- Behind the scenes of Taiwan's presidential electioneering, an international plot is said to have been brewing.

It was to serve as a last-minute bombshell that could have turned the tables and offer pro-Beijing candidate Han Kuo-yu of the main opposition Chinese Nationalist Party a chance to stage a come-from-behind victory.