Hsu Chia-ching Admits Son's Involvement in Dongsha Program: 'I Made a Mistake Out of Soft-heartedness' – Huang Yang-ming Fires Back

Hsu Chia-ching, Chair of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), who recently faced controversy over spending over a million public dollars on a so-called 'fact-finding mission' that turned into tourism, is now accused of relaxing eligibility rules for her son to join the 'Overseas Youth Dongsha Experience Camp,' sparking allegations of misuse of public office. The Control Yuan has determined that Hsu violated the 'Act Governing the Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest for Public Officials' and will impose a fine ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$2 million.

In an interview today (11) on the program 'Lunchtime Briefing,' Hsu admitted that the conflict-of-interest law is strict and that she 'made a mistake out of soft-heartedness.' However, she emphasized that neither she nor her son profited from the incident and insisted that her son, who holds dual citizenship and has studied abroad for years, genuinely qualifies as an 'overseas youth.'

### Did Hsu Arrange for Her Son to Join the Dongsha Trip? She Calls It 'Good Intentions Gone Wrong'

Hsu stated that she did not initially receive the Control Yuan’s official documents and only learned the full details after personally reviewing the case files last Friday. She explained that the Dongsha Experience Camp had failed to launch three times in recent years due to insufficient applicants. In April 2025, the camp again faced low enrollment, prompting her to request an extension from the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC). Due to the shortage, she personally paid for her son to join as a last-minute participant.

She stressed that this was her only mistake and that all other aspects of the program were legitimate and verifiable. 'I regret being so soft-hearted,' she lamented. 'If I had known, I wouldn’t have bothered—just cancel it if it can’t run!'

### Does Her Son Qualify? Hsu’s Defense

Hsu reiterated that neither she nor her son benefited financially. Her son, she said, has lived abroad for years and holds dual citizenship, meeting the criteria for 'overseas youth.' She added that under OCAC guidelines, any Taiwanese national who has lived overseas for more than two years and is not a student qualifies as an 'overseas youth.'

Media commentator Huang Yang-ming mocked the shifting narrative, citing reports: 'First it was a “false rumor,” now it’s “a moment of soft-heartedness”?'

He criticized that any public official with a shred of shame should resign over a conflict-of-interest violation. 'Otherwise, the leadership should replace them. But now it’s all about loyalty to the Lai faction—officials just “Lai” there, and what can you do?'

### What Is the Dongsha Ecological Experience Camp?

Looking back, the OCAC, in collaboration with the Ocean Affairs Council and the Coast Guard Administration, successfully launched the 'Overseas Youth Dongsha Ecological Experience Camp' in August 2025. Hsu led the delegation aboard a Coast Guard vessel to Dongsha Island.

Eligibility was primarily for non-mainland, non-Hong Kong, and non-Macau overseas students currently enrolled in Taiwanese universities. Three additional categories were allowed: those with overseas residence endorsements on their passports, holders of Overseas Chinese Identity Certificates, and long-term overseas youth. The age range was 18 to 32, with minors requiring parental consent.

### Did Hsu Give Her Son Special Treatment? Control Yuan’s Findings

Hsu was later accused of relaxing eligibility rules to allow her son to join. She initially dismissed it as a 'false rumor,' and the OCAC claimed the selection process followed all regulations.

However, recent media reports confirm that after an extended investigation, the Control Yuan has concluded that Hsu violated the conflict-of-interest law and will impose a fine of NT$100,000 to NT$2 million. Hsu initially told the media she had not yet received the official notice, but later admitted fault.

Related exclusive reports from Storm Media: - 'Is Hsu Chia-ching in Trouble? Accused of Letting Her Son Skip the Line for Dongsha Camp—Found Violating Law, Facing Up to Seven-Digit Fine—Her Response' - 'Could Hsu Chia-ching Be Infiltrated by China? Shen Cheng-nan Exposes Fatal Flaw in Official Inspections: Worse Than Public-Funded Tourism' - 'Hsu Chia-ching Arranged for Her Son to Land on Dongsha Island—Chen Hui-wen Urges Opposition to Investigate: May Involve Graft Charges'