TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — On Sunday, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with Control Yuan President Chen Chu (陳菊), who is still in recovery at a Kaohsiung hospital. 

After attending a ceremony to mark the 160th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, Lai made a brief stop at Kaohsiung Medical University’s Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital to visit Chen. Lai visited to ask after her health and wish her a speedy recovery, reported CNA. 

Chen was hospitalized in late December with health problems related to influenza. During a medical check-up, doctors discovered that her kidney had a small tumor. 

After a successful operation to remove the tumor, Chen was set to be discharged. However, on the day she was preparing to leave, she suffered a serious brain embolism that required immediate treatment. 

She has been recuperating at the hospital ever since. Reports from early 2025 said Chen was planning to return to work in March to resume her duties leading the Control Yuan. 

Six months have passed, and many continue to speculate about her health and fitness to remain in office, leading one of Taiwan’s five branches of government. In April, former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Vice-President Hsiao Bi-Khim (蕭美琴) visited Chen.

On Sunday, the Presidential Office spokesperson said Chen is making steady progress in her recovery. The hospital has issued multiple statements that it can not publicly release information on patients. 

As the leader of the Control Yuan remains in convalescence, recent reports indicate that the opposition KMT and TPP legislators are moving to eliminate the Control Yuan. The Lai administration has also signaled that it may support the motion.