Taiwan Democracy Foundation: Cheng Li-wen's China Visit Raises Unification/Independence Concerns, Receipts Not Yet Reimbursed

(Central News Agency, Reporter Yang Yao-ru, Taipei, 10th) Media reports indicate that the expenses for a China visit led by Kuomintang Chairperson Cheng Li-wen were applied for as a subsidy from the Taiwan Democracy Foundation, which was established with donations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Taiwan Democracy Foundation CEO Liao Ta-chi stated today that the receipts for Cheng Li-wen's China visit have not yet been reimbursed, as they may involve activities related to unification or independence, potentially violating the foundation's charter.

The Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee today reviewed the public and confidential portions of the central government's general budget for fiscal year 2026 (115th year of the Republic of China) under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 includes an item under "International Conferences and Exchanges" for "Assisting Various International Exchange Activities." This includes a subsidy of NT$248,356,000 for the Taiwan Democracy Foundation to assist various international exchange activities through research and design.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Yi-chuan proposed that the Taiwan Democracy Foundation's charter prohibits involvement in unification or independence activities. He argued that Cheng Li-wen leading a delegation to China to meet with Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping constituted "going to a dictatorship to hold closed-door meetings with a dictator" and that applying for a subsidy from the Taiwan Democracy Foundation was wrong. Therefore, he proposed cutting the budget for this item by NT$100 million.

In response, Liao Ta-chi explained that the receipts for Cheng Li-wen's China visit have not been reimbursed because they may violate the charter's provisions regarding unification or independence activities. If receipts are submitted, they will be processed by the board of directors and reported to the foundation's chairperson, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu, and vice chairperson, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung.

Liao Ta-chi also mentioned that discussions were held with legislators about sending political party subsidies exceeding a certain amount for external review in the future, but such a mechanism is not yet in place, and remedial measures have been taken.

Liao Ta-chi pointed out that according to the Taiwan Democracy Foundation's charter, political party subsidies total NT$30 million, distributed based on each party's seats in the Legislative Yuan: the Kuomintang receives approximately NT$14 million, the Democratic Progressive Party NT$13.8 million, and the Taiwan People's Party NT$2 million. The legislator's proposal to cut NT$100 million would not affect the NT$30 million in political party subsidies at all.

Liao Ta-chi stated that cutting NT$100 million would affect the foundation's two most important tasks. First, track-two diplomacy, including promoting global local democracy initiatives and efforts to form an alliance of six special municipality mayors, would come to a complete halt. Second, international cooperation and support, including the complete inability to proceed with the third wave of international subsidy cases and the complete suspension of the fifth and sixth waves of subsidies for domestic NGOs, would have a significant impact.

Regarding Wang Yi-chuan's proposal, Kuomintang Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin stated she had no opinion on it, had not submitted any related proposals, "and moreover, it hasn't been used."

Lin Chia-lung said that political party diplomacy is crucial, but meeting with Xi Jinping does raise some controversy. He suggested the committee negotiate and retain this case. Wang Yi-chuan ultimately agreed to retain it. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150610