Carcinogenic Oil Scandal Escalates! Premier Cho: Full Inspection Results and Legal Reforms to Clarify Central-Local Responsibilities to Be Announced Tomorrow

Regarding the Chung Lian carcinogenic oil incident, Executive Yuan Premier Cho Jung-tai stated today (19th) during a speech at the DPP National Congress that the Executive Yuan has proposed amendments to the Food Safety Act to clearly define the authority between central and local governments, as well as the immediate responsibilities and obligations of future reporting agencies. These details will be clearly reported to the public this coming Monday. Additionally, comprehensive inspection reports for all problematic and seized oil batches currently on the market will be completed by tomorrow.

Premier Cho emphasized that while Taiwan's economy is improving and becoming stronger, China's influence continues to expand. From constant military aircraft and naval incursions into gray zones, obstructing the president's official diplomatic visits, to recently passing the so-called 'Democratic Solidarity Promotion Act' enabling long-arm jurisdiction and cross-border suppression, these actions pose the greatest threat to Taiwan's national security and sovereignty. The government has already proposed a special defense procurement budget to meet national security needs. Although only NT$780 billion was secured, the Executive Yuan has resubmitted a NT$210 billion special bill for unmanned vehicles, with additional regular budget allocations to follow, ensuring that the people's hard-earned achievements are protected by national security and defense capabilities.

The president has also adopted a 17-point national security strategy to counter five major threats, including over 100 legal revisions, sub-regulations, measures, and administrative orders. The Executive Yuan is implementing these one by one and will expedite full implementation. In response to cross-border suppression, the Executive Yuan has established a cross-agency assistance platform to ensure the safety of Taiwanese citizens both domestically and abroad, as well as the safety of all foreigners in Taiwan.

However, Premier Cho criticized the opposition-controlled legislature for continuously proposing bills that violate constitutional order, disrupt governance, undermine national security, and breach fiscal discipline. He assured the public that the Executive Yuan will act as a 'goalkeeper' and reject any unconstitutional or governance-disrupting legislation. 'We will refuse,' he declared.

With the budget still under review, the Executive Yuan must continue its efforts and has outlined three key missions. First, in line with the DPP party platform, the government will actively protect the poor, disadvantaged, and vulnerable through social investment to realize a welfare state. The Long-term Care 3.0 program has been advanced to launch this year, fulfilling the president's vision of a Healthy Taiwan. The government will strengthen national support for major diseases. Additionally, the much-anticipated child allowance for ages 0 to 18 will be implemented starting next year, leveraging national resources to elevate Taiwan into a new era of welfare statehood.

On the issue of drug-impaired driving threatening public safety, the Executive Yuan has introduced 14 measures focusing on source deterrence, enhanced enforcement, and harsher penalties. Regarding the recent soybean salad oil food safety issue, the Executive Yuan has acted swiftly and cautiously, prioritizing food safety through source control, process monitoring, rebuilding the abnormal reporting system, strengthening digital governance via the Food Cloud, and ultimately proposing comprehensive amendments to the Food Safety Act. These reforms will clarify central-local authority and define the real-time responsibilities and obligations of reporting agencies.

These measures will be clearly reported to the public this coming Monday. All problematic oil batches on the market will also have their comprehensive inspection results finalized by tomorrow. Food safety will remain the top priority, and Premier Cho assured the public of concrete and immediate actions, urging continued support for the Executive Yuan.