Chen Shih-chung Spotted at Night Banquet During Toxic Oil Scandal; Li Cheng-hao Defends Him, Criticizing KMT: He'd Be Praised as Approachable Abroad

The toxic oil scandal involving Chung Lian edible oil continues to escalate. On the 22nd, Taipei City Councilor Li Ming-hsien (KMT) posted photos on Facebook revealing that Chen Shih-chung, a policy minister responsible for food safety oversight and crisis management at the Executive Yuan, was seen attending a night banquet in Tonghua Street, Taipei, on the evening of July 11—just as the toxic oil crisis was intensifying.

In response, political commentator Li Cheng-hao posted on Facebook, stating: 'Let me say a fair word.' He defended Chen, noting that someone of Chen’s stature—former Minister of Health and Welfare, mayoral candidate for Taipei, and current policy minister (with ministerial-level salary)—dining at an ordinary restaurant without a private room would either be mocked for eating too cheaply or praised for being highly approachable in any other country. 'Only in Taiwan would the KMT mock him for this,' he added sarcastically.

Li Ming-hsien criticized the government, stating that over three weeks into the toxic oil crisis, the Executive Yuan has done little beyond deflecting blame and having its supporters circulate memes to attack local leaders like Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen. He questioned what concrete measures the ruling party has taken to identify the source of the tainted oil or restore public confidence in food safety.

He further revealed photos provided by a citizen showing Chen at a drinking gathering on Tonghua Street on the night of July 11, during the peak of the scandal. The citizen expressed confusion: 'How could he be so relaxed at such a critical moment?' Li emphasized that while public officials have the right to personal time, Chen’s actions during what should be a 'state of high alert' for food safety highlight the Executive Yuan’s negligence and disorganization.

Li Cheng-hao countered, stressing that Chen dining at an affordable, non-private venue reflects humility and closeness to the people. In most countries, such behavior would be celebrated as a sign of being down-to-earth. Only in Taiwan’s politically charged environment is it twisted into a scandal.

Additional exclusive reports from Wind Media include:

- As the toxic oil scandal grows, photos emerge of Chen attending a banquet. Critics ask: 'Can you drink with peace of mind?' DPP legislators hit back, accusing critics of 'making stories from images.'

- Could the Chung Lian carcinogenic oil incident have been avoided? One figure reveals eight years of 'legislative inaction' under DPP’s full governance, claiming 'the public consumed 26 extra days of toxic oil.'

- Amid the Chung Lian oil crisis, who is to blame—central or local government? A writer points to a statement from the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a 'self-own,' prompting laughter from Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen.