TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Go Go Alliance criticized Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke (楊文科) on Monday over his upcoming trip to Brazil, saying he has spent 139 days abroad during his second term as magistrate.
The Taiwanese Hakka Association of the World is holding the 2026 World Hakka Conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from Friday to Saturday, per CNA. Yang departed Taiwan on Monday for a 14-day trip that includes attendance at the conference and a visit to Portugal.
Taiwan Go Go Hsinchu County Council candidate Li Ya-fen (李雅芬) pointed out that Yang departed for Brazil after the conference had already begun, questioning the effectiveness of his participation, per Liberty Times. NPP Chair Wang Wan-yu (王婉諭) said arranging an official trip that includes both Brazil and Portugal was unreasonable, particularly for a magistrate nearing the end of his term, per NOWNews.
Wang said that while it is reasonable for municipal leaders to visit other countries, the frequency of Yang’s overseas trips has gone beyond what is reasonable. Hsinchu County Council candidate Chang Yu-tzu (張育慈) said Yang had made 14 overseas trips during his second term, spending a total of 139 days abroad.
Zhubei City representative council candidate Hung Jui-chin (洪瑞瑾) said one of the trips was paid for by the government and three were paid out of pocket, while the funding sources for 13 trips could not be accounted for. Taiwan Go Go Hsinchu County Council candidate Lin Chun-ching (林裙靜) added that of the 16 trips that had already concluded, five had clear official objectives, six combined official business with tourism, and five placed too much emphasis on tourism.
The Hsinchu County Government responded that Yang was attending the conference at the invitation of the Taiwanese Hakka Association of the World, per UDN. It said he would participate alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hakka Affairs Council and other Hakka-related organizations to promote Taiwan’s Hakka culture.
Regarding the Portugal visit, the county government said Yang would visit an important startup industry hub in the country.
