Civic Groups: Taichung City Government Tolerates Illegal Factory Operations, Urges Control Yuan Investigation
Civic groups petitioned the Control Yuan on April 17, alleging that the Taichung City Government has been negligent in its duties by allowing Huali Steel Company to continue illegal operations despite a shutdown order. Residents have reported severe noise pollution and criticized the city's passive enforcement. The groups are calling for an investigation into the city government's administrative negligence and dereliction of duty.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 12:29
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 13:01 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 17:22 (4h 21m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 17th) Civic groups today petitioned the Control Yuan, pointing out that Taichung City's Huali Steel Company has been operating illegally and continues to do so even after being ordered to cease operations. They allege that the city government has not taken compulsory measures such as cutting off water and electricity, suggesting favoritism and dereliction of duty. They hope the Control Yuan will launch an investigation into whether the city government is involved in administrative negligence and dereliction of duty.
Representatives from the Alliance for Monitoring Government Policies, New Power Party Taichung Chapter, and the Obasan Alliance for Citizen Participation in Central and Southern Taiwan went to the Control Yuan this morning to submit a petition and hold a press conference, shouting slogans such as "Mayor Lu Shiow-yen's government is derelict in its duties, tolerating illegal factories on agricultural land."
A resident surnamed Wang living near the steel factory stated that she has suffered from Huali Steel's high-decibel noise pollution for many years, with her life long disturbed and damaged, her sleep quality severely affected, and her physical and mental health tormented. Although Huali Steel was ordered to cease operations three and a half years ago, it continues to operate illegally. She noted that the factory was still operating when she left home today to petition in Taipei.
Ms. Wang said that although the Taichung City Government has fined the operator for illegal operations, for the illegal operator, fines are merely part of the operating costs. The continued operation of the business shows the Taichung City Government's passive enforcement, and even neglect of duty and failure to implement penalties according to law. Therefore, she petitioned the Control Yuan, hoping it would launch an investigation into whether the Taichung City Government is involved in administrative negligence and dereliction of duty, and urge the Taichung City Government to take concrete and effective enforcement measures.
Tsou Ming-yen, executive director of the New Power Party Taichung Chapter, said that the Taichung City Government once emphasized that it had inspected Huali Steel and imposed penalties, but such penalties seem to be merely a "fee" for the operator to continue illegal operations. Hsu Hsin-hsin, executive director of the Alliance for Monitoring Government Policies, said that Huali Steel was ordered to cease operations three and a half years ago by the Taichung City Government because it failed to apply for management according to the "Factory Management and Guidance Act," but the operator still continues to operate. Facing illegal structures that should be demolished but are not, there is suspicion of favoritism.
Tsai Pei-shan, spokesperson for the Obasan Alliance for Citizen Participation in Central and Southern Taiwan, also said that Huali Steel is built on "agricultural and pastoral land" in a specific agricultural zone, less than 10 meters from the petitioner's home, causing long-term noise and pollution. The victims have complained and reported for 20 years, but it is still operating today. She hopes the Control Yuan will investigate whether there are any deficiencies. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150417
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(Central News Agency reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 17th) Civic groups today petitioned the Control Yuan, pointing out that Taichung City's Huali Steel Company has been operating illegally and continues to do so even after being ordered to cease operations. They allege that the city government has not taken compulsory measures such as cutting off water and electricity, suggesting favoritism and dereliction of duty. They hope the Control Yuan will launch an investigation into whether the city government is involved in administrative negligence and dereliction of duty.
Representatives from the Alliance for Monitoring Government Policies, New Power Party Taichung Chapter, and the Obasan Alliance for Citizen Participation in Central and Southern Taiwan went to the Control Yuan this morning to submit a petition and hold a press conference, shouting slogans such as "Mayor Lu Shiow-yen's government is derelict in its duties, tolerating illegal factories on agricultural land."
A resident surnamed Wang living near the steel factory stated that she has suffered from Huali Steel's high-decibel noise pollution for many years, with her life long disturbed and damaged, her sleep quality severely affected, and her physical and mental health tormented. Although Huali Steel was ordered to cease operations three and a half years ago, it continues to operate illegally. She noted that the factory was still operating when she left home today to petition in Taipei.
Ms. Wang said that although the Taichung City Government has fined the operator for illegal operations, for the illegal operator, fines are merely part of the operating costs. The continued operation of the business shows the Taichung City Government's passive enforcement, and even neglect of duty and failure to implement penalties according to law. Therefore, she petitioned the Control Yuan, hoping it would launch an investigation into whether the Taichung City Government is involved in administrative negligence and dereliction of duty, and urge the Taichung City Government to take concrete and effective enforcement measures.
Tsou Ming-yen, executive director of the New Power Party Taichung Chapter, said that the Taichung City Government once emphasized that it had inspected Huali Steel and imposed penalties, but such penalties seem to be merely a "fee" for the operator to continue illegal operations. Hsu Hsin-hsin, executive director of the Alliance for Monitoring Government Policies, said that Huali Steel was ordered to cease operations three and a half years ago by the Taichung City Government because it failed to apply for management according to the "Factory Management and Guidance Act," but the operator still continues to operate. Facing illegal structures that should be demolished but are not, there is suspicion of favoritism.
Tsai Pei-shan, spokesperson for the Obasan Alliance for Citizen Participation in Central and Southern Taiwan, also said that Huali Steel is built on "agricultural and pastoral land" in a specific agricultural zone, less than 10 meters from the petitioner's home, causing long-term noise and pollution. The victims have complained and reported for 20 years, but it is still operating today. She hopes the Control Yuan will investigate whether there are any deficiencies. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150417
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FAQ
Why is the Taichung City Government allegedly tolerating Huali Steel's illegal operations?
Civic groups allege that the Taichung City Government has not taken compulsory measures like cutting off water and electricity against Huali Steel's illegal operations, suggesting administrative negligence and dereliction of duty. Fines are reportedly seen by the company as merely part of operating costs, allowing them to continue operations.
What are the impacts of Huali Steel's illegal operations on residents?
A resident surnamed Wang reported suffering from Huali Steel's high-decibel noise pollution for many years, leading to disturbed life, severely affected sleep quality, and tormented physical and mental health. The factory is less than 10 meters from her home, causing long-term noise and pollution.