TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's government deflected calls for investigation into former Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) after she attended Beijing's military parade a day earlier, with officials Thursday (Sept. 4) saying parliament must decide on potential legal violations. Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會), Taiwan's cross-strait policy agency, Shen Yu-chung (沈有忠) stated that the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, where Hung once served as vice president, must initiate any investigation. The response highlights Taiwan's complex legal framework governing cross-strait interactions.
Shen highlighted that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP, 中國共產黨) plans three major 80th-anniversary events later this year, prompting Taiwan's government to bar current officials from participating. The government urged citizens to avoid falling into unification traps orchestrated by Beijing's propaganda campaigns. Shen noted the parliament must decide whether Hung's past role falls under the act's regulations and whether an investigation is warranted.
The Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) emphasized that current laws prohibit central and local government officials, as well as individuals with specific roles in national defense and foreign affairs, from attending such events. Shen reiterated the government's commitment to healthy and sustainable cross-strait exchanges, following President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) directive to depoliticize and de-risk these interactions. Taiwan seeks to maintain dialogue while avoiding political manipulation by Beijing.
Shen also said honoring national heroes doesn't require traveling to Beijing, suggesting alternatives like attending memorials at the Taipei Martyrs' Shrine (國民革命忠烈祠). He recommended events hosted by the Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) and the Veterans Affairs Council (VAC, 退輔會) as appropriate venues. The official acknowledged that penalties for violating the act are currently too lenient and that future amendments will be discussed with lawmakers.