TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to new anonymous complaints involving the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US, urging staff to report concerns through official channels.
One complaint posted on Threads alleged that a senior director in the consular division took a large quantity of office cleaning supplies and was not punished, per Tai Sounds. It also said staff members with knowledge of the incident were instructed not to discuss it and that an administrative division director was demoted in connection with the case.
A separate complaint alleged that a senior official asked the administrative division to negotiate with the American Institute in Taiwan to obtain an E-1 visa for the official’s child. AIT reportedly rejected the request, citing rules that the visa does not apply to individuals over 21.
According to the complaint, the staff member handling the visa application was reprimanded after the application was rejected and threatened with reassignment to Taiwan. The post also alleged longstanding management issues within the office, including claims that some senior officials are self-serving and abusive toward staff.
It further suggested that some officials relied on connections with National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) to act unprofessionally, per UDN.
MOFA addressed the cleaning supplies allegation, saying the unauthorized removal was due to the individual’s mobility issues, per ETtoday. It said the items were returned, and the individual received a stern warning. Allegations involving mismanagement and visa issues remain under investigation.
The ministry called on personnel to report concerns through proper channels to clarify facts and protect their rights. The representative office said the incidents had already been investigated and handled, but declined further comment.
Taiwan’s overseas offices have recently faced multiple controversies. Taiwan’s envoy to the US, Alexander Yui Tah-ray (俞大㵢), was accused of spending NT$8 million (US$250,000) on new furniture for the official residence, though a later ministry clarification put the figure at NT$1.25 million. A follow-up report suggested the investigation may have been written by Yui, per Mirror Media.
Yui’s wife has also been accused of mistreating ministry staff. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said the allegations would be investigated.
In Boston, Director-General Charles Liao (廖朝宏) has been accused of workplace abuse, including verbally berating staff in meetings, scolding employees in public areas, and tearing up proposals, per ETtoday. He also faced allegations of unprofessional conduct, including alienating Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and attempting to insert himself into media coverage of a local high-rise accident, per ETtoday.
The ministry, responding to allegations against Liao, again urged individuals to come forward through official channels, per ETtoday. Officials said the anonymous nature of social media complaints complicates fact-finding but emphasized that protections exist for those who report misconduct through formal mechanisms.
Meanwhile, an insider said complaints posted on official Facebook pages remain one way for staff to seek redress.
