Zheng Liwen Applies for Democracy Foundation Subsidy for China Visit; Liang Wenjie Expresses Surprise
Reports state KMT Chairwoman Zheng Liwen applied to the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy for funding her China visit. MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wenjie expressed surprise, arguing it contradicts the foundation's purpose of promoting Taiwan's democracy globally.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 22:11
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 22:31 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 01:23 (50h 51m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA, Taipei, 16th, Reporter Liao Wen-chi) According to reports, the expenses for Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Zheng Liwen's delegation to China were applied as a subsidy from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-jie expressed "surprise" at this, stating that the foundation's purpose is to let the world recognize Taiwan's democracy, and subsidizing exchanges with the CCP is unjustifiable.
Mirror Media reported that KMT Chairwoman Zheng Liwen recently led a delegation to visit China, and applied for a subsidy of 4.8 million NT dollars for the 6-day trip from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, which was established with donations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is chaired by Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu.
Liang Wen-jie expressed his surprise at a regular press conference today. He pointed out that the reason the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy was established was to allow countries around the world to recognize the achievements of Taiwan's democracy and break through the CCP's blockade through exchanges between political parties, scholars, think tanks, and civil groups.
He emphasized that the purpose of the foundation is to break through the CCP's comprehensive diplomatic encirclement of Taiwan, so subsidies should be directed towards this goal. "How could it instead subsidize money to engage in exchanges with the CCP? This is unjustifiable no matter how you look at it."
Regarding why the Democracy Foundation might consider this reasonable, Liang said, "I personally am quite surprised."
KMT Culture and Communications Committee Chairwoman Yin Nai-ching said today that Zheng Liwen's trip to mainland China for the "2026 Journey of Peace" was a legal application to the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy to engage in political party exchanges.
The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy explained again this afternoon that the case has not yet entered the reimbursement stage. The foundation will process it in accordance with its charter and relevant regulations based on the receipts and achievement reports subsequently submitted by the KMT.
(CNA, Taipei, 16th, Reporter Liao Wen-chi) According to reports, the expenses for Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Zheng Liwen's delegation to China were applied as a subsidy from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-jie expressed "surprise" at this, stating that the foundation's purpose is to let the world recognize Taiwan's democracy, and subsidizing exchanges with the CCP is unjustifiable.
Mirror Media reported that KMT Chairwoman Zheng Liwen recently led a delegation to visit China, and applied for a subsidy of 4.8 million NT dollars for the 6-day trip from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, which was established with donations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is chaired by Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu.
Liang Wen-jie expressed his surprise at a regular press conference today. He pointed out that the reason the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy was established was to allow countries around the world to recognize the achievements of Taiwan's democracy and break through the CCP's blockade through exchanges between political parties, scholars, think tanks, and civil groups.
He emphasized that the purpose of the foundation is to break through the CCP's comprehensive diplomatic encirclement of Taiwan, so subsidies should be directed towards this goal. "How could it instead subsidize money to engage in exchanges with the CCP? This is unjustifiable no matter how you look at it."
Regarding why the Democracy Foundation might consider this reasonable, Liang said, "I personally am quite surprised."
KMT Culture and Communications Committee Chairwoman Yin Nai-ching said today that Zheng Liwen's trip to mainland China for the "2026 Journey of Peace" was a legal application to the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy to engage in political party exchanges.
The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy explained again this afternoon that the case has not yet entered the reimbursement stage. The foundation will process it in accordance with its charter and relevant regulations based on the receipts and achievement reports subsequently submitted by the KMT.