TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —Chair of Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation and former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) was questioned about allegations of corruption Saturday (July 6).
The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Cheng is suspected of accepting bribes during his time as Mayor of Taoyuan, per CNA. Speaking via his lawyer, Cheng denied any wrongdoing, adding he hopes the truth will be clarified soon and that he will cooperate with the investigation.
After questioning Cheng, prosecutors applied to a court to have him detained because suspicion of criminal wrongdoing was high. The court decided Saturday (July 6) to release him on bail of NT$5 million (US$154,280) on the condition that he does not leave his residence or leave the country.
The office of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said in a statement on Saturday that it respects the judiciary and hopes that it will investigate Cheng’s case impartially.
Prosecutors did not provide details regarding the corruption suspicions. Citing an unnamed source, UDN reported that the investigation is related to land use during his time as Taoyuan mayor from 2014 to 2022. The report said that Cheng was involved in a developer’s plans to expand the Hwa Ya Technology Park (華亞科技園區).
Chairs of the Kuomintang Eric Chu (朱立倫) and Taiwan People's Party Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) told reporters on Saturday that they support a full investigation into the matter.
