New Taipei's White Camp Criticizes NT$46,000 Handout Proposal as Absurd; Green Camp: Increased Net Assets Should Be Utilized
In New Taipei City, Taiwan, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has criticized a proposal by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to distribute NT$46,000 to each citizen as 'absurd.' The DPP countered that the city's increased net assets should be utilized, leading to a clash between the political parties.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 20:40
- 🔍 Collected: May 14, 2026 at 21:02 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 21:14 (12 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Reporter Tsao Ya-yen, New Taipei, 14th) Taiwan People's Party (TPP) city councilors in New Taipei City today criticized a proposal made by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) last year to distribute NT$46,000 as absurd, stating that with a cumulative city deficit of NT$88.7 billion, there are no conditions for such a handout. The DPP caucus responded that the relevant final accounts reports explain this, and the increase in net assets for the year 113 (2024) should be actively used.
TPP New Taipei City councilor Chen Shih-Hsuan, along with Banqiao district councilor candidate Lin Tzu-Yu and Zhonghe district councilor candidate Chen Yi-Chun, held a press conference today. They pointed out that last year, after the failure of a major recall effort, DPP New Taipei City councilors made a retaliatory proposal suggesting the New Taipei City Government distribute NT$4.6 million, calling the content absurd and a deceptive show in the council.
Chen Shih-Hsuan pointed out that the reason the national parliament could promote the 'return tax to the people' policy of distributing NT$10,000 last year was that, besides a tax surplus, the central government had a cumulative surplus of NT$838.5 billion as of year 113. In contrast, although New Taipei City had a surplus of NT$2.086 billion in year 113, its cumulative deficit is as high as NT$88.7 billion, meaning it lacks the conditions to distribute cash.
Chen Shih-Hsuan emphasized that the New Taipei City Government had already clearly responded last year that the proposal was not feasible. The NT$172.4 billion increase in net assets claimed by the DPP councilors did not represent actual cash income but was an increase in the book value of assets like roads, parks, community centers, and school lands. 'Is the city government supposed to sell off city property to distribute NT$46,000?' he asked.
Chen Yung-Fu, the general convener of the New Taipei City Council's DPP caucus, responded that the party's 'return tax to the people' policy proposal included the tax surplus and unexecuted budget for year 113, and the recommendation to the city government was made based on the annual final accounts report of net assets, which had already explicitly 'deducted liabilities.' Furthermore, the motion was sent to the city government for research and implementation, and the proposal for a self-governance ordinance was sent to the regulations committee. These are different proposals with different review processes, and the TPP should do their homework before criticizing.
Deputy convener Li Chien-Ping stated that assets include many aspects, not just the city government's cash flow but also other fund investments, and are not limited to land, buildings, and equipment. Since the net assets for year 113 clearly increased, they should be actively used, rather than being dismissed by vaguely talking about disposing of assets.
Caucus secretary Li Yu-Hsiang emphasized that the proposal is on the premise that the city government does not need to incur debt, allowing citizens to share in the city's financial achievements. The 'NT$46,000 Return Tax to the People Self-Governance Ordinance' has already passed its first reading and has entered the substantive review stage in the regulations committee, with high public expectation. He found it puzzling that Chen Shih-Hsuan, as a current councilor, had not expressed clear opposition in the council chamber before but was now choosing to hold a press conference to criticize the motion. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150514
TPP New Taipei City councilor Chen Shih-Hsuan, along with Banqiao district councilor candidate Lin Tzu-Yu and Zhonghe district councilor candidate Chen Yi-Chun, held a press conference today. They pointed out that last year, after the failure of a major recall effort, DPP New Taipei City councilors made a retaliatory proposal suggesting the New Taipei City Government distribute NT$4.6 million, calling the content absurd and a deceptive show in the council.
Chen Shih-Hsuan pointed out that the reason the national parliament could promote the 'return tax to the people' policy of distributing NT$10,000 last year was that, besides a tax surplus, the central government had a cumulative surplus of NT$838.5 billion as of year 113. In contrast, although New Taipei City had a surplus of NT$2.086 billion in year 113, its cumulative deficit is as high as NT$88.7 billion, meaning it lacks the conditions to distribute cash.
Chen Shih-Hsuan emphasized that the New Taipei City Government had already clearly responded last year that the proposal was not feasible. The NT$172.4 billion increase in net assets claimed by the DPP councilors did not represent actual cash income but was an increase in the book value of assets like roads, parks, community centers, and school lands. 'Is the city government supposed to sell off city property to distribute NT$46,000?' he asked.
Chen Yung-Fu, the general convener of the New Taipei City Council's DPP caucus, responded that the party's 'return tax to the people' policy proposal included the tax surplus and unexecuted budget for year 113, and the recommendation to the city government was made based on the annual final accounts report of net assets, which had already explicitly 'deducted liabilities.' Furthermore, the motion was sent to the city government for research and implementation, and the proposal for a self-governance ordinance was sent to the regulations committee. These are different proposals with different review processes, and the TPP should do their homework before criticizing.
Deputy convener Li Chien-Ping stated that assets include many aspects, not just the city government's cash flow but also other fund investments, and are not limited to land, buildings, and equipment. Since the net assets for year 113 clearly increased, they should be actively used, rather than being dismissed by vaguely talking about disposing of assets.
Caucus secretary Li Yu-Hsiang emphasized that the proposal is on the premise that the city government does not need to incur debt, allowing citizens to share in the city's financial achievements. The 'NT$46,000 Return Tax to the People Self-Governance Ordinance' has already passed its first reading and has entered the substantive review stage in the regulations committee, with high public expectation. He found it puzzling that Chen Shih-Hsuan, as a current councilor, had not expressed clear opposition in the council chamber before but was now choosing to hold a press conference to criticize the motion. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150514