Is Taiwan Sugar's Major Shareholder a 'Wanted Fugitive from China'? Financial Analyst Hsieh Jin-He Exposes Zhu Guo-Rong's Dark Past, Slams Toxic Oil Scandal: 'Arrest Cheating Companies Immediately'

The scandal over excessive benzopyrene levels in Chung Lian Oils has expanded into a political battleground. In response to blue-camp commentators calling Taiwan Sugar a 'conscience-driven company' on TV programs, Hsieh Jin-He, chairman of Common Wealth Media, posted on Facebook expressing strong disagreement. He stated bluntly, 'Black cloth cannot be dyed white,' and exposed the controversial past of Zhu Guo-Rong, the major shareholder behind Taiwan Sugar, urging the central government to demonstrate resolve in punishing unlawful businesses.

Hsieh revealed Zhu Guo-Rong's dark history, lamenting that Taiwan Sugar has become a 'connected enterprise.' He noted that Zhu, originally named Zhu Zi-Zhao, was involved in the robbery of Nam Tung Bank in Macau, resulting in one death. In the 1980s, he fled to Taiwan and was arrested but later rebranded himself as an 'anti-communist patriot,' obtaining ROC nationality. However, in 1990, he was arrested again and sentenced for smuggling firearms and money laundering.

Hsieh pointed out that Zhu is a well-known 'Big Circle' figure in Hong Kong, highly adaptable in business. In 2007, he acquired Kuo Pao Life Insurance, entered the funeral industry, and later used Long Bang International to obtain 38.34% of Taiwan Sugar's shares. Hsieh lamented that Taiwan Sugar, once a solid and reputable company, lost its management control due to internal family disputes within the Chan family and has now become a de facto affiliate of Zhu Guo-Rong. He criticized calling Taiwan Sugar a 'conscience-driven company' as deliberately whitewashing evil, akin to dyeing black cloth white—something he finds unacceptable.

Toxic oil entered the market without reporting—Hsieh blames local authorities for failure

Regarding the handling process of this carcinogenic oil incident, Hsieh outlined a timeline. He stated that after Chung Lian imported carcinogenic soybeans on April 4, it shipped the products on April 8 to its three major shareholders: Taiwan Sugar, Fu Shou, and Fu Mao Oil. These companies then resupplied the oil to Nan Qiao Chemical. However, Nan Qiao detected the issue through internal testing but failed to report it as required, only for Chung Lian to self-disclose the issue online on June 30.

Hsieh believes that local governments failed to detect and act on the issue in the first instance and must bear significant responsibility. Yet, opposition parties are now shifting all blame onto the central government.

Call for central government to take a firm stance—Hsieh: 'Arrest cheating companies immediately'

Facing the food safety crisis triggered by carcinogenic oil, Hsieh urged the government to take a stronger stance and fully disclose the incident to the public. He emphasized that companies caught cheating should be arrested immediately, local authorities must be held accountable, and the central government must demonstrate decisive leadership.

Hsieh stressed that Taiwan has experienced multiple food safety scandals, such as the Wei family's fake oil incident, which left a deep impression on the public. For issues that directly threaten people's lives, the strictest measures must be taken. He expressed hope that Premier Cho would show the same level of determination as former Premier Su in properly handling this crisis.