Wang Hung-wei Questions Investigation of Rao Ching-ling; Chiu Chui-cheng: Cross-Strait Forum Is a United Front Platform

Central News Agency Report (Reporter Lu Chia-jung, Taipei, June 17)

Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Wang Hung-wei questioned in the Legislative Yuan today whether the government should investigate and punish Taitung County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling for participating via pre-recorded video in the Cross-Strait Forum, criticizing the government's response as 'making a mountain out of a molehill.' Chiu Chui-cheng, Chair of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), emphasized that the Cross-Strait Forum is a united front platform used for propaganda, infiltration, division, and the ultimate dismantling of the Republic of China.

The 17th plenary session of the Interior Committee of the 11th Legislative Yuan's 5th session was held today, where Wang and Chiu engaged in a heated exchange.

Wang asked whether the government would investigate or punish Rao. Chiu responded that government regulations prohibit both central and local public officials from participating in the Cross-Strait Forum in any form. Whether in person or via video, such participation constitutes a violation. Since Rao had previously breached regulations, the Ministry of the Interior, as the competent authority, would conduct an administrative review under Article 33-1 of the Cross-Strait Relations Act. The final determination on legality would await the outcome of this review.

Wang pressed further: 'So you're saying that recording a video alone violates the Cross-Strait Relations Act?' Chiu replied that the government would respect the administrative findings and assess legality accordingly.

Wang then questioned the government's standards, pointing out that President Lai Ching-te, when serving as Tainan mayor, had also conducted exchanges with mainland China. Chiu countered that Lai 'would not have conducted exchanges on a united front platform,' reiterating that the Cross-Strait Forum aims to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty and eliminate the Republic of China.

Wang angrily retorted, 'Will the Republic of China really be destroyed by a single pre-recorded video? How powerful it must be!' and called the argument 'ridiculous.' She urged the government not to use administrative power to interfere with county magistrates caring for farmers. Chiu maintained that the government was 'fulfilling its duties and acting according to law.'

This year, the government upgraded its ban on the Cross-Strait Forum, prohibiting all public officials from participating in any capacity. Unable to attend in person, Rao delivered her remarks via a pre-recorded video.

(Edited by Chu Chien-ling)