Former finance minister fired over sex scandal, WikiLeaks cable reveals

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP):

A United States diplomatic cable released by the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks says former Chinese Finance Minster Jin Renqing was fired in 2007 for having a sexual relationship with a suspected Taiwanese spy.

The reported affair occurred during the administration of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, when tensions between Taiwan and China were high because of Beijing's anger over Chen's pro-independence policies. Since then relations have improved substantially, guided by Chen's China-friendly successor, Ma Ying-jeou.

When Jin left office, it was reported that he resigned for personal reasons.

The recently released cable from the US Consulate General in Shanghai was classified secret and dated September, 20, 2007. It described the unidentified woman as a "promiscuous socialite" and said Chinese investigators believed she was a Taiwanese spy.

Taiwan's intelligence agency declined to comment yesterday on the story. Calls to the main office of China's Finance Ministry in Beijing were not answered.

The cable said she conducted simultaneous affairs with several other prominent Chinese figures, including then Sinopec Group Chairman Chen Tonghai and then Sichuan provincial Communist Party Secretary Du Qinglin.