Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke's Shenzhen Visit Questioned Over Disaster Preparedness; County Government States Compliance with Law

(CNA, Hsinchu County, July 8) The Taiwan Forward Alliance today stated that Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke visited Shenzhen for exchanges on July 3rd. However, at a time when a typhoon might approach and the county was recovering from rainfall-induced disasters, they questioned whether he abandoned his responsibilities during a critical period for disaster prevention. The Hsinchu County Government responded that all procedures were handled in accordance with the law.

The Taiwan Forward Alliance held a press conference in front of the Hsinchu County Government today, stating that Yang Wen-ke traveled to Shenzhen for exchanges on July 3rd, departing before the typhoon's approach. Furthermore, heavy rainfall on June 26th caused flooding and other disasters in multiple areas of Zhubei. They questioned whether the exchange activity was more important than the lives and property of the citizens.

The Taiwan Forward Alliance pointed out that Yang Wen-ke led a delegation of the Yang Clan to Shanwei, Guangdong last year. They asked if similar arrangements were made this year, whether the travel expenses for the clan delegation were publicly funded or hosted, and if the list of the delegation included members of the clan association. The county government should provide an explanation.

The Hsinchu County Government stated in writing that Yang Wen-ke was invited by the Shanwei City Taiwan Compatriot and Relative Friendship Association, the Xi'an Incident Memorial Hall, and others from July 3rd to 9th to participate in cross-strait exchange activities in accordance with the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area and relevant regulations.

The county government said that the application was submitted on June 5th, approved by the National Immigration Agency on June 23rd, and the permit to enter the mainland was issued. Subsequent leave procedures were handled in accordance with the law and complied with current regulations. This trip was primarily for official exchanges, with ancestral worship activities only scheduled for the weekend. All related expenses were personally covered by Yang Wen-ke. (Edited by: Li Shu-hua) 1150708

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