China Has Informed Us Missing Soldier Is in China: MAC 金門二膽島士兵失聯 邱太三證實人在中國

According to Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Tai-san, China has informed Taiwan that it found Taiwan's missing soldier. The soldier, surnamed Chen, went missing on the 9th from Erdan Island. Taiwan will issue a warrant for Chen's arrest if he does not report back to his base by the 15th. 

Chiu Tai-san, Mainland Affairs Council Minister: “I think it's pretty much confirmed that he's on the Mainland.”

On the 13th, Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Tai-san said China had notified Taiwan that the soldier missing from Erdan Island was in China. Taiwan's Coast Guard is still trying to find out about the circumstances that led to his disappearance and whether the soldier, surnamed Chen, set off for China intentionally. Lawmaker Chen Yu-jen, who represents Kinmen, put speculation that Chen had either major debt or relationship troubles to rest.

Chen Yu-jen, Legislator (KMT): “(He's) NT$300,000 in debt and he's talked to banks about his situation before he got a girlfriend. So, his life is pretty normal.”

Chen went missing on the 9th, and the military said on the 10th that he'd left his base and would face a military police investigation and a warrant for his arrest if he didn't return on his own within six days. Lawmakers, meanwhile, said Chen was just a regular soldier and had no access to classified information.

Wang Ting-yu, Legislator (DPP): “He didn't have much to do (in the army) and he didn't have access to classified information. We are still trying to find out more.”

Lawmakers are demanding Chen's release so that he can be investigated. Under Article 24 of the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces, "a person who surrenders to an enemy" will face at least 10 years in prison or death. Under Article 39, "a person who tries to get rid of military service over a long period of time or to escape to assume service" will face a maximum of five years in prison. Soldiers that return on their own within six days can get a lighter punishment.

Su Tzu-yun, Director, Div. of Defense Strategy & Resources, INDSR: “If they release Mr. Chen's personal information, China will be able to use that against him. That's the way intelligence goes sometimes.”

The Ministry of National Defense has not commented on the MAC's assertion that Chen is in China. Taiwanese experts say this is the right move because China has not made any public announcements and may have tricks up its sleeve.

陸委會主委邱太三說：「我想他人在大陸這一點，應該是確認了。」

金門二膽島陳姓士兵失聯，陸委會主委邱太三13日證實，人就在中國，對岸有透過管道告知。現在國防部海巡署都在積極了解後續，是否因為感情或負債因素而選擇游到中國。

金門立委陳玉珍澄清陳姓士兵沒有巨額負債和感情問題，動機還要釐清，「（負債）30多萬，然後事實上有跟銀行談債務協商。沒有交女朋友，之前有，所以他的生活都很正常。」

陳姓士兵9日失聯，軍方10日就發布了離營通報，如果6天內沒返回，依照規定會在15日移送憲兵隊偵辦，將發布通緝。外界擔心陳姓士兵會洩漏機密，影響金門防務，不過立委認為陳姓士兵是伙房兵，不用過於擔憂。

民進黨立委王定宇回應：「這名伙房兵的業務沒有什麼機敏資料在內，洩密的疑慮，我們會予以審慎的了解。」

立委呼籲中國讓陳姓士兵盡速回台，要調查動機。而逃兵與投敵刑責差很多，依據陸海空軍刑法第24條，投敵者處死刑、無期徒刑或10年以上有期徒刑；如果是逃兵則適用第39條，處5年以下有期徒刑。6天內自動歸隊者，可減輕其刑。

國防院戰略所所長蘇紫雲表示：「現在如果把陳姓上兵的資料都先主動公布，那這樣子其實中共那邊可能就會跟陳姓士兵再進一步的套召，情報有時候就是以靜制動。」

雖然陸委會證實人在中國，但國防部卻低調沒有回應，學者分析這樣動作是正確的，因為中國還沒有發布任何消息，可能在盤算與台博弈，要以靜制動來接招。