TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — DPP Legislator Wang Yi-chuan (王義川) alleged Thursday that the KMT asked members of the Taiwanese community in Los Angeles to cover the cost of a banquet during KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun's (鄭麗文) recent visit to the US.
Cheng recently said expenses for her US trip would be covered by grants from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, per SETN. She also said the KMT did not raise funds from overseas supporters during the visit.
Wang, however, cited anonymous online posts allegedly written by a leader within the overseas Taiwanese community, per NOWNews. According to Wang, the posts claimed the KMT kept proceeds raised through the banquet while refusing to pay related expenses.
Wang argued that the allegations suggested tensions between the KMT and local organizers in Los Angeles.
Cheng's visit reportedly received a lukewarm reception in Washington. According to Politico, Cheng was unable to meet with US National Security Council officials amid concerns over defense spending cuts and suspicions that the KMT had disclosed details of a planned meeting.
Politico also reported that relatively few members of Congress interacted with Cheng during the trip. In response, KMT Representative to the US Victor Chin (秦日新) said the party had not planned an extensive schedule of congressional meetings.
Asked about the trip, Cheng said she could not discuss who she met in the US because of diplomatic convention. She added, however, that she had met members of the family of former US President John F. Kennedy, per UDN.
Addressing her reception among overseas Taiwanese communities, Cheng said many people had noted her connection to Republic of China founder Sun Yat-sen (孫中山), per ETtoday. She said the similarity lay in her willingness to turn ideals into concrete action.
