Hsu Chia-ching Spent 526 Days Abroad, 'Spent NT$23.83 Million'! Exposed for 'On-site Vacation' and Celebrating Lunar New Year Overseas, Responds Personally

Overseas Chinese Affairs Council Chair Hsu Chia-ching's overseas inspection trips have recently sparked political controversy in Taiwan. The Taiwan People's Party Legislative Caucus released data claiming that since 2022 (ROC Year 111), Hsu has accumulated 526 days of overseas travel, with total public expenditures amounting to NT$23,833,872. This means she has spent nearly one-third of each year outside Taiwan. The caucus questioned whether such extensive overseas operations are truly necessary and criticized some trips as 'official inspections in name only, actual tourism in practice.'

In response to the Taiwan People's Party's criticism, Hsu explained that all overseas travel arrangements and expense reports strictly follow relevant regulations. She emphasized that during any personal leave taken during trips, she did not claim daily allowances. All travel plans aim to minimize expenses, streamline schedules, and serve the largest number of overseas compatriots. She urged the public to review her recent official responses.

One-third of the year spent abroad? People's Party reveals high travel costs

Chen Ching-lung, convener of the Taiwan People's Party Legislative Caucus, publicly disclosed statistical data showing that the total overseas budget for the Overseas Chinese Affairs Council is NT$92,685,000, yet Hsu alone accounts for 29.7% of that—nearly one-third. Chen calculated that over five years, Hsu made 47 overseas trips, producing 47 reports totaling 986 pages. Dividing total expenses by total pages, the average cost per report page reaches NT$24,000. He remarked sarcastically that while people say 'a word is worth a thousand gold,' Hsu's reports are 'a page worth ten thousand gold.'

Chen further cited specific trips as evidence. From May 26 to July 1, 2023 (ROC Year 112), Hsu traveled to the Americas and Oceania to visit overseas communities, spending NT$1,263,682. However, public records show she took personal leave from May 31 to June 4. Chen questioned how official business trips could include overseas vacation periods, suggesting this may be a disguised holiday, and demanded clarification on whether she claimed daily allowances during those five days.

Celebrating Lunar New Year with 'on-site vacation' in the U.S.? Trip duplication and misalignment with duties questioned

Beyond the leave controversy, the People's Party also criticized Hsu's 2024 travel plans. From February 13 to March 10, Hsu traveled to North America and Oceania to attend overseas community events, spending NT$818,796. However, this trip coincided with the Lunar New Year, and Hsu took 'on-site vacation' in the U.S. from February 16 to 19, drawing public attention.

Chen Chih-han, Director of the People's Party Caucus, criticized Hsu's April 22 to May 18 trip report to the U.S. and Europe, alleging inflated content. She pointed out that the same itinerary was split across two days—for example, visiting Naples City Hall on April 29 and again on May 1. Additionally, Hsu held an online discussion with six Chinese-language teachers in Poland on May 4. Chen questioned whether such online meetings could have been conducted remotely from Taiwan. The report also mentioned visiting the Wannsee Conference Center and 'gaining in-depth understanding of WWII historical background,' which she criticized as deviating from the Council's core mission.

How to respond to mounting criticism? Hsu emphasizes compliance and no allowance claims

Facing intense criticism from the People's Party, Hsu again publicly clarified that all travel arrangements, publication of abridged reports online, and submission of detailed reports fully comply with government regulations. She stressed that during any personal leave taken during travel, she strictly adhered to rules and did not claim any daily living allowances.

Hsu stated that overseas operations require frequent contact and service to overseas communities worldwide. The government consistently promotes cost-saving measures and requires travel plans to be as efficient and streamlined as possible, aiming to serve the greatest number of overseas compatriots. She suggested that members of the People's Party review the Overseas Chinese Affairs Council's recent official explanations and responses.