TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The UK Parliament revealed earlier this week that former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss received over NT＄3.58 million for her four-day visit to Taiwan, sparking suspicions and criticism from opposition parties in Taiwan.
Liz Truss's visit to Taiwan in May, particularly her keynote speech on May 17, garnered significant attention in the nation, with many praising her for raising Taiwan's profile on the global stage. However, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lamented that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has remained silent on the expenses resulting from her visit.
According to the UK parliamentary register of Members' financial interests, Liz received a payment of £ 80,000 (NT＄3.1 million) from the Prospect Foundation, a Taiwanese think tank. MOFA in Taiwan covered her airfare and accommodation expenses during the visit, which amounted to £ 18,410 (NT＄ 400,000).
In response, the MOFA stated on Monday (July 3) that the relevant expenses were handled according to the country's regulations for hosting foreign guests. The
MOFA added that Truss's speaking engagements in Taiwan were arranged through a speaker agency, which had signed a contract with the organizing entity, the Prospect Foundation.