TAITUNG (TVBS News) — Taitung County (台東縣) Magistrate Yao Ching-ling (饒慶鈴) revealed Friday (Jan. 10) that she unexpectedly met with Song Tao (宋濤) during her recent visit to mainland China. Yao stated that she learned about the meeting only after arriving on Jan. 4, describing it as an unforeseen encounter.
Controversy arose as Yao had not reported the meeting with Song, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO, 國台辦) beforehand. The TAO is an administrative agency under the State Council of the People's Republic of China (PRC) responsible for cross-strait relations. Due to this, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) announced on Thursday that authorities would investigate and take appropriate action regarding her unreported meeting.
Yao, speaking at the opening ceremony of a new road in Taitung City, emphasized her lack of awareness about the guest list for the banquet hosted by the TAO, stating, "The Mainland Affairs Council should connect the dots and explain it themselves." Yao underscored her commitment to Taitung farmers, highlighting her efforts to negotiate reduced tariffs on agricultural products and promote tourism development. She expressed willingness to take full responsibility for her actions in pursuit of these goals.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications of Yao's meeting with Song on cross-strait relations and local politics remain to be seen.