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DPP warns of conflicts of interest
around ECFA
WAITING FOR THE KICKBACKS: The relatives of
senior government officials potentially stand to reap the benefits of a trade
deal with China, the DPP warned
By Vincent Y. Chao
STAFF REPORTER
Tuesday, Apr 13, 2010, Page 3
“We are asking that the government investigate whether any … senior official
or their family members are involved in business dealings with China.”— Tsai
Chi-chang, DPP spokesman
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday turned the spotlight on what it
said was a potential for kickbacks to government officials and their relatives
should an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) be signed between
Taiwan and China.
The DPP promised to push for an investigation after reports showed that a number
of senior officials have family or relatives involved in business with China.
While a business trip last week by Vice President Vincent Siew’s (蕭萬長) daughter,
Joy Siew (蕭至佑), to the Boao Forum in China drew media attention, her case may be
just the tip of the iceberg, DPP spokesperson Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) said.
Another case cited by the DPP includes Premier Wu Den-yih’s (吳敦義) son, Wu Chi-lian
(吳子廉), who was accused by lawmakers last year of involvement with Chinese firms
in an attempted takeover of Nan Shan Life Insurance Co.
In addition, Liu Chao-kai (劉兆凱), chairman of TECO Electric and Machinery and
brother of former premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄), is responsible for wind power
investments into the Chinese market, the party said.
“We are asking that the government investigate whether any … senior official or
their family members are involved in business dealings with China before [and
if] an ECFA is signed in June,” Tsai said.
The spokesperson also said the government should take a closer look at whether
any of the officials involved in cross-strait negotiations could potentially
receive any benefits.
Liu Chien-sin (劉建忻), deputy director of policy research for the DPP, said the
party had concerns that an ECFA, if signed, would benefit large corporations
with business ties in China rather than small and medium companies.
A statement later released by the DPP said that both Straits Exchange Foundation
Chairman Chiang Pin-kung’s (江丙坤) son and wife were involved in business deals
that could be affected by cross-strait relations.
The party also said that a relative of former National Security Council
secretary-general Su Chi (蘇起) has been involved in multimillion-dollar business
deals in China.
“The people with the potential to receive kickbacks shouldn’t be asking
themselves whether they can go [to China], but rather whether they should be
going, or what they would be doing there,” Tsai said, adding that President Ma
ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration hasn’t done enough to curb potential conflicts
of interest.
“We want a thorough investigation of all cross-strait investments, business
deals or any other activities that could result in kickbacks for cross-strait
negotiators and [for the government] to deliver it to the public clearly,” Tsai
said.
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