Hsu Chia-ching Took 47 Overseas Trips in 5 Years, Spent NT$23.83 Million in Public Funds; Chen Chih-han Exposes Vacation Schedules: Step Down Immediately

Controversy continues to grow over Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Chairperson Hsu Chia-ching's overseas inspection trips. On the 5th, the Taiwan People's Party Legislative Caucus released new data showing that since serving as OCAC deputy and then chairperson, Hsu has made 47 overseas trips totaling 526 days, spending over NT$23.83 million in public funds. Chen Chih-han, director of the party caucus, criticized Hsu on Facebook as the 'privileged mother,' questioning the relevance of some trips to overseas affairs and reiterating concerns over her son's participation in the 'Overseas Youth Dongsha Ecological Experience Camp,' demanding Hsu 'step down immediately.'

How much did Hsu spend on 47 overseas trips? Chen stated that according to the party's analysis, since Hsu became OCAC deputy chairperson in 2020 and chairperson in 2023, she has traveled abroad 47 times for a total of 526 days, with travel expenses exceeding NT$23 million. The 47 trip reports amount to 986 pages, averaging over NT$24,000 per page. Chen criticized this as 'a page worth a fortune.'

She further questioned the extended durations of some trips, including a 36-day trip from May to July 2023 costing about NT$1.26 million, during which several days were scheduled as local vacations. Another 15-day trip in February-March 2026 to Canada, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand also included vacation arrangements. Chen asked, 'Is she conducting overseas affairs work or taking taxpayer-funded vacations?'

Why weren't visits to tomato farms and goat milk factories disclosed? Previously, the party caucus criticized Hsu's trip reports as overly brief. Hsu responded that publicly posted travel reports require partial redaction to protect overseas compatriots' personal data, while complete reports can be obtained by legislators through formal requests.

However, Chen pointed out that after obtaining more complete data, the caucus discovered unreported activities such as visits to tomato farms and goat milk factories, in addition to previously revealed events like screenings of the film 'Da Meng' and dessert tastings. She questioned, 'What national secrets could the Chinese Communist Party possibly steal from tomatoes and goat milk?'

Why fly to Poland just for an online meeting? Chen also criticized Hsu's April-May 2026 Europe and North America trip, noting that municipal inspections in Naples were split over two days, historical site visits were scheduled in Rome, and an online seminar with local Mandarin teachers was held in Poland.

She criticized, 'Is it necessary to spend public funds flying to Europe just to hold a video conference?' She also pointed out Hsu's visit to the Wannsee Conference Center, questioning, 'Is she handling overseas affairs or moonlighting in human rights work?' Chen argued that some tasks could have been compressed, and both the number of travel days and actual work content should be scrutinized.

What about the controversy over Hsu's son going to Dongsha? Beyond the overseas trip issues, Chen also revisited the case of Hsu's son participating in the 2025 'Overseas Youth Dongsha Ecological Experience Camp.' According to documents obtained by media, the Control Yuan's Ethics Committee decided on June 17 to determine that Hsu's relative's participation violated Article 6 of the 'Act on Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest for Public Officials' and will be legally penalized.

Chen criticized that Hsu's son was under 18 at the time and not a typical overseas student, questioning whether eligibility criteria were adjusted for him. She added that after the incident became public, grassroots OCAC staff were repeatedly interviewed and under pressure, saying, 'She broke the law, but made frontline staff pay the price,' demanding Hsu take responsibility.

How has Hsu responded? Regarding the trip report controversy, the OCAC previously issued a statement. Hsu emphasized she 'never claimed the budget or reports were classified,' but that online reports require redaction of overseas compatriots' personal data, while legislators can obtain full reports through formal requests.

Hsu also stated that since the OCAC's service targets are overseas, avoiding contact with overseas communities would be 'neglecting duties.' Regarding the Dongsha case, when questioned by media on the 4th, she said, 'I haven't received any documents yet,' and could not respond further without seeing the content. Chen continues to demand Hsu provide a public explanation and calls for her to 'step down immediately.'