Baker Chen Yao-hsun's brother detained in Taiwan Chinese-spy probe

Sep 11, 2026

A corruption case involving a Taiwanese lawmaker's office has widened into a suspected Chinese spy investigation, dragging in the brother of one of Taiwan's most famous bakers — bad news for the politician, and awkward for a beloved food brand.

  • Prosecutors say people tied to independent lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei's office took money from China and built a network inside Taiwan.
  • The office director and an assistant were detained and cut off from outside contact after a key suspect smashed his ankle monitor and fled.
  • The detained director is the older brother of Chen Yao-hsun, the baker known for Taiwan's most sought-after egg yolk pastries.
  • Chen posted about moving his shop into a department store, saying overnight queues were disturbing neighbors — and added that he does not need to explain everything.

Outlook: Prosecutors are widening the probe, so more arrests are likely, and Chen's brand will keep facing questions it says it will not answer.

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