TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The TPP on Wednesday called on Overseas Community Affairs Council Minister Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青) to resign, citing alleged abuse of power related to the 2025 Dongsha Islands Eco-Camp and what it described as excessive spending during her recent official trips to Europe and North America.
The TPP initially criticized Hsu for submitting a five-page report following her 26-day visit to Europe and North America, per Mirror Media. Hsu responded the report omitted sensitive information because of the nature of the trip, arguing the government should not make such information readily accessible to hostile actors.
TPP Legislative Caucus Convener Chen Ching-lung (陳清龍) rejected Hsu's explanation, noting that rules exempt confidential reports from public disclosure if approved by the head of the agency, per UP Media. He added that, based on the TPP's review of the report, Hsu could have released it after redacting personal information.
TPP Legislator Chiu Hui-ju (邱慧洳) added that the report classified activities such as watching the film “A Foggy Tale” and meeting a pastry chef at the Elysee Palace as confidential.
Hsu rejected the TPP's characterization, saying she met with numerous Taiwanese overseas community organizations during the 26-day trip, per Liberty Times. She also said Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's (蔣萬安) father, Chang Hsiao-yen (章孝嚴), was not required to submit such reports when he held the same position.
Chen responded by suggesting Hsu had classified parts of the report as confidential to conceal activities such as "eating sweets" and watching “A Foggy Tale”, per NOWNews. He said the TPP legislative caucus would step up its oversight of the council's overseas travel budget.
Separately, the Control Yuan is reportedly considering fining Hsu over allegations that she relaxed eligibility rules to allow her son to participate in the 2025 Dongsha Islands Eco-Camp for Overseas Compatriot Youth, per TVBS. Hsu previously denied reports that she had engineered the rule changes to benefit her son, per TVBS.
Recent media reports, however, said the Control Yuan may fine Hsu for breaking conflict-of-interest regulations. Sources familiar with the investigation said civil servants responsible for organizing the camp were unaware that Hsu's son would participate and have been under Control Yuan investigation for nearly six months.
Hsu said she had not received any official notification from the Control Yuan and therefore could not comment on the matter.
Citing both controversies, TPP Department of Policy and Strategy Executive Director Wu Huang-sheng (吳皇昇) called on President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to intervene, per ETtoday. He argued that Hsu's alleged conduct had disqualified her from remaining in office.
Wu called on Hsu to resign immediately and reimburse what the TPP described as wasted taxpayer money.
