TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taipei City Police Commissioner Chang Jung-hsin (張榮興) on Thursday (May 9) defended his presence at a dinner with a reputed gang leader as a coincidence.
After media reports alleged he had been eating shark fin at a secret party with an organized crime boss, Chang held a news conference to present his side of the story, per the Liberty Times. The dinner was not secret but was instead a public affair organized by the Taipei City Government’s Department of Civil Affairs, he said.
Officials of the department and a member of Taipei City Council attended the event in May 2023, while the guest list included the chair of Qingshan Temple in Wanhua District, a man surnamed Huang (黃), the police chief said. Chang admitted he did interact with Huang but his main concern was to prevent violence at a Qingshan Temple parade.
The police commissioner denied he knew beforehand that Huang and his wife would attend the dinner, so he had not applied for permission beforehand. He exchanged a few words with them and left after the meal, he said. Chang also reported the meeting to his superiors, as required by the rules.
Reports about the dinner emerged after Huang was detained as he entered the country at Taoyuan International Airport on Monday (May 6). He was wanted in connection with a case dating back to 2022 involving a shooting incident over a debt dispute, per CNA.
Chang was reportedly being considered as the next head of the central government’s National Police Agency (NPA), reports said.