Recently, Kuomintang Chairperson Cheng Li-wen led a delegation to visit Mainland China. According to 'Mirror Media', the 6-day trip cost NT$4.8 million (about RM601,800), and the expenses were not self-funded but applied for from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. In response, the MAC Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh stated at a routine press conference on Thursday afternoon: 'Personally, I am quite surprised. This is unjustifiable no matter how you put it.'
Liang Wen-chieh pointed out that the purpose of establishing the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy was to promote Taiwan’s democratic achievements to the international community through exchanges among political parties, scholars, think tanks, and civil groups, and thereby break through the CCP’s diplomatic blockade. He also stated that the foundation’s subsidies should be used in line with the above objectives: 'How could they grant a subsidy for exchanges with the CCP?' Liang Wen-chieh emphasized that this action is 'unjustifiable no matter what.' As for why the foundation regarded it as reasonable, he said, 'Personally, I am quite surprised.'
According to previous reports, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy CEO Liao Da-chi stated that since the foundation’s establishment, it has had special subsidies for political parties, primarily used to promote democracy and human rights. For example, regarding Cheng Li-wen’s visit to the mainland, the application might have cited reasons such as promoting democracy and human rights in Mainland China. The foundation generally respects such applications and also reminds applicants that the principle should always be promotion of democracy, human rights, or expanding Taiwan’s diplomatic outreach.
Liao Da-chi also noted that Cheng Li-wen's visit to the mainland is also a kind of diplomatic act. 'You can't say that just because there is hostility, there can be no interactions.' She cited an example that U.S. President Trump also went to Mainland China for negotiations with the purpose of resolving problems, and diplomacy remains an important means. Therefore, the foundation subsidizes political parties for diplomatic activities on this basis.