TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT, 美國在台協會) confirmed Tuesday (May 6) that all its personnel adhere to strict dining and gift ethics guidelines as mandated by the U.S. Department of State and federal laws. This assurance comes amid reports of a dinner hosted by Economic Minister J.W. Kuo (郭智輝) for AIT Director Raymond Greene (谷立言) and staff on April 28. According to AIT, the dinner reviewed recent progress in strengthening U.S.-Taiwan trade and investment relations.
However, Mirror Media (鏡週刊) reported that Minister Kuo frequently invites officials and subordinates to dine at restaurants owned by Topco Scientific Co. (崇越集團), using the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部) name to host AIT representatives. Mirror Media detailed that attendees, including economic ministry representatives and AIT officials, left the April 28 dinner around 8 p.m., carrying red gift bags containing items valued at NT$2,280.
An Anyo Group (安永集團) insider disclosed that the ministry's banquet room requires a minimum spending of NT$80,000 on weekdays, and the event featured "customized" meals, with an estimated per-person cost exceeding NT$2,500. The total expenditure for the dinner and gifts reportedly surpassed NT$220,000.