Why Invite Chen Chi-mai to Ketagalan Boulevard? Chiang Wan-an Reveals Call Content: Local Leaders Should Stand Up for Food Safety

In protest against the carcinogenic oil scandal, opposition parties, led by Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, will hold a demonstration on Ketagalan Boulevard on July 25. Chiang personally called Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai yesterday to invite him to join the protest. This morning (21st), Chiang explained the details of their conversation, stating that he invited Chen in his capacity as a 'local parent-official' to express concern for food safety on behalf of the people. Chiang emphasized that concern for food safety should transcend venues and occasions, and leaders must courageously speak up to show their commitment to food safety and public health.

Additionally, Chiang will participate this morning in a cross-county food safety national forum initiated by Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen, and will personally attend this afternoon’s food safety law amendment meeting chaired by Executive Yuan Councilor Chen Shih-chung.

Chiang pointed out that food safety is an issue beyond party lines and regional boundaries, one that must be jointly addressed. He mentioned that he and several county and city governments have discussed directions and proposals for amending the Food Safety Act, which will be presented at today’s meeting. Chiang stressed that food safety is a matter of public welfare. He reiterated that his call to Mayor Chen was to invite him, as a local leader, to express concern for food safety. During their conversation, Chen mentioned that he would personally attend the Executive Yuan’s food safety meeting today. Chiang emphasized that concern for food safety should be expressed courageously, regardless of setting or context.

Separately, regarding Deputy Director Wang Teh-yuan of the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement to commission a third-party 'Independent Investigation Team for the Chung Lien Oils Incident,' inviting experts to re-inspect the factory and convene a 'Food Risk Assessment Advisory Council,' KMT spokesperson Chen Yi-hsin criticized today that the Executive Yuan has 'slapped itself in the face' and been 'boomeranged by its own words,' proving that its earlier attacks on Taichung City’s factory inspection were entirely wrong. Chen questioned why it is acceptable for the central government to now send expert investigators to the factory, when Taichung City’s invitation of third-party experts on July 5 was blocked. 'If the central government can do it, why can’t local governments? Why did the Executive Yuan pressure Taichung to stop its inspection when both actions involve expert factory inspections?'

Chen Yi-hsin pointed out that the DPP government has been negligent and arrogant in handling the food safety crisis, failing to promptly uncover the truth while politically attacking local governments. He said the government has now been proven wrong by its own actions, and public dissatisfaction has reached a breaking point. The 'Food Risk Assessment Advisory Council' announced by Wang is too low in rank and too small in scale to address this major food safety crisis, amounting to mere lip service. What is truly needed, Chen argued, is a 'National Food Safety Security Council' chaired directly by President Lai Qing-te, conducting a cross-ministerial comprehensive review of food safety regulation, information transparency, consumer compensation, and systemic reform, and delivering accountability to the public.