DPP Urges Swift Withdrawal of KMT's Cheng Li-wun's Democracy Foundation Funding Request for China Trip
DPP Legislator Fan Yun strongly criticized KMT's Cheng Li-wun for applying for Taiwan Foundation for Democracy funds to visit China, arguing that taxpayers' money should not fund exchanges with an authoritarian regime.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 12:27
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 12:31 (3 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 03:25 (62h 53m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Lin Ching-yin, Taipei 16th) Media reports indicate that KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wun applied for funding from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy for her recent trip to China. Fan Yun, Secretary-General of the DPP Legislative Yuan Caucus and a board member of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, called on Cheng Li-wun today, urging that taxpayers' money should not be taken to China for exchanges that lack democracy and human rights, and demanded that she withdraw the application as soon as possible.
Media reports stated that the 35-member KMT delegation led by Cheng Li-wun spent NT$4.8 million on their 6-day trip for airfare, accommodation, and meals, which was not paid by the KMT but applied for from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, endowed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Yin Nai-ching, head of the KMT's Culture and Communications Committee, said today that it was a lawful application to the foundation to engage in political party exchanges.
Fan Yun stated at a DPP caucus press conference this morning that the founding purpose of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy is to support Taiwan's participation in international democracy and human rights-related activities, using taxpayers' money to support crucial Track II diplomacy.
Fan Yun mentioned she is a new board member of the foundation. The foundation held a meeting yesterday, and at that time, she was unaware of the proposal for Cheng Li-wun's China trip. At the meeting yesterday, she raised questions regarding the KMT's past frequent applications for subsidies to travel to China and for Taiwanese businessmen fellowship networking, believing these do not align with the purpose of democracy and human rights.
Fan Yun pointed out that after she raised her questions yesterday, board members recommended by the KMT or TPP claimed, "You say there are no human rights in China, but you have to go see it to know if there are human rights." She immediately retorted, "Did the closure reports tell everyone where human rights were lacking? These all require professional review."
Fan Yun relayed that the foundation's CEO, Liao Ta-chi, subsequently stated that since the board members hold this attitude, the foundation will strictly maintain its stance, and hopes that board members will tell their respective parties that future proposed plans must be related to democracy and human rights. Finally, the meeting chairman, Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, also agreed there is a need for review and asked all political parties to cooperate.
Fan Yun stated that even Han Kuo-yu feels the purpose of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy should align with democratic and human rights values, and the general public does not feel Cheng Li-wun's China trip is related to these values. The KMT should not use taxpayers' money for exchanges in China that lack democracy and human rights; Cheng Li-wun should lead by example and withdraw the application immediately. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150416
(CNA Reporter Lin Ching-yin, Taipei 16th) Media reports indicate that KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wun applied for funding from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy for her recent trip to China. Fan Yun, Secretary-General of the DPP Legislative Yuan Caucus and a board member of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, called on Cheng Li-wun today, urging that taxpayers' money should not be taken to China for exchanges that lack democracy and human rights, and demanded that she withdraw the application as soon as possible.
Media reports stated that the 35-member KMT delegation led by Cheng Li-wun spent NT$4.8 million on their 6-day trip for airfare, accommodation, and meals, which was not paid by the KMT but applied for from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, endowed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Yin Nai-ching, head of the KMT's Culture and Communications Committee, said today that it was a lawful application to the foundation to engage in political party exchanges.
Fan Yun stated at a DPP caucus press conference this morning that the founding purpose of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy is to support Taiwan's participation in international democracy and human rights-related activities, using taxpayers' money to support crucial Track II diplomacy.
Fan Yun mentioned she is a new board member of the foundation. The foundation held a meeting yesterday, and at that time, she was unaware of the proposal for Cheng Li-wun's China trip. At the meeting yesterday, she raised questions regarding the KMT's past frequent applications for subsidies to travel to China and for Taiwanese businessmen fellowship networking, believing these do not align with the purpose of democracy and human rights.
Fan Yun pointed out that after she raised her questions yesterday, board members recommended by the KMT or TPP claimed, "You say there are no human rights in China, but you have to go see it to know if there are human rights." She immediately retorted, "Did the closure reports tell everyone where human rights were lacking? These all require professional review."
Fan Yun relayed that the foundation's CEO, Liao Ta-chi, subsequently stated that since the board members hold this attitude, the foundation will strictly maintain its stance, and hopes that board members will tell their respective parties that future proposed plans must be related to democracy and human rights. Finally, the meeting chairman, Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu, also agreed there is a need for review and asked all political parties to cooperate.
Fan Yun stated that even Han Kuo-yu feels the purpose of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy should align with democratic and human rights values, and the general public does not feel Cheng Li-wun's China trip is related to these values. The KMT should not use taxpayers' money for exchanges in China that lack democracy and human rights; Cheng Li-wun should lead by example and withdraw the application immediately. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150416