TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu expressed displeasure on Thursday (May 9) over Kuomintang legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin's criticism of the government's handling of a Ukraine aid project with the Czech Republic. Hsu had previously questioned the transparency of the project, suggesting that the Taiwanese government was indirectly intervening in Czech politics and benefiting certain affiliations.
In response, Roy Hsu, deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Treaty and Legal Affairs, filed a complaint against Hsu Chiao-hsin on May 7, accusing her of leaking classified information. Hsu Chiao-hsin protested the lawsuit on Facebook, calling it "unprecedented" and indicative of Wu's arrogance. She claimed the information she disclosed was already public in a Czech official magazine on March 26, countering any leak allegations. She criticized the MOFA for its lack of transparency, contrasting it with the Czech government's openness.
Hsu questioned the procurement process through the Czech Health Technology Institute, a third party, which bypassed Taiwan's Government Procurement Act. She suggested this limited competition to certain Taiwanese medical supply manufacturers. In an interview, Wu stated Hsu's actions took him aback but noted her actions have not yet affected Taiwan-Czech relations, although they could impact future cooperation.
Wu explained that since a 2014 legislative resolution, the MOFA has mandated that 30%-40% of aid be spent on Taiwanese medical equipment and that Czech procurement must meet domestic or EU transparency standards. He acknowledged the significant impact of the lawsuit on executive-legislative relations and noted the unusual diplomatic situation Taiwan faces. Wu will step down after the legislative session ends to become the secretary-general of the National Security Council but will remain subject to legislative oversight.