DPP Legislators Questioning Sophia Chiang for Arranging Private Liquor with MOFA; Presidential Office Calls It False Accusation

(CNA Taipei, July 1, 2024) Presidential Office Spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui stated today that specific individuals, including KMT Legislator Lai Shi-bao, have recently maliciously accused "Sophia Chiang arranging private liquor with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2024, requesting no inspection" and "Sophia Chiang over-purchasing private liquor." She said these are false accusations based on distorted facts, and the Presidential Office strongly condemns them.

Kuo Ya-hui told the media in the evening that the personal belongings (including self-use liquor) carried by Vice President Sophia Chiang upon her return from her overseas assignment were handled in accordance with Article 49, Paragraph 1, Item 3, Second Clause of the Customs Law, "Personal belongings carried by personnel of government agencies stationed abroad upon their return," which is consistent with the reporting procedures for all returning overseas personnel, and involved no special privileges.

Kuo Ya-hui said that the Presidential Office strongly condemns the recent false accusations by some in the public that distort facts.

She stated that according to the Ministry of Finance's "Regulations Governing Personal Belongings Carried by Government Personnel Stationed Abroad Upon Their Return," in addition to 1 liter of duty-free liquor upon entry, any excess amount is subject to taxation according to law. In this regard, all amounts exceeding the duty-free limit have been declared and relevant taxes (including customs duty, business tax, and tobacco and alcohol tax) have been paid according to law.

Kuo Ya-hui said that specific politicians, for political manipulation, deliberately spread misinformation, maliciously slander, not only harm diligent overseas diplomatic personnel but also undermine the public's trust in the government system, and should be jointly condemned by the public. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150701

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