Cheng Resigns as SEF Chairman, Presidential Office and Executive Yuan Respects Decision
China Times, July 8, 2024
Both the Office of the President and Executive Yuan respect the decision of Cheng Wen-tsan to resign from his position as chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation for alleged corruption during his tenure as Taoyuan mayor between 2014 and 2022. Cheng emphasized that he will defend his innocence as he was detained over a bribery case and resigned as SEF Chair on July 7. Japanese media outlets comment that Cheng is a strong contender against the current President Lai Ching-te and one of the few pro-China factions within the DPP.
The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office sought approval from the court to detain Former Taoyuan Mayor and SEF Chairman Cheng Wen-tsan for alleged corruption and bribery. The Taoyuan District Court ruled that Cheng be released on bail for NT$5 million (about US$162,795) on July 6. Cheng walked out the court with a smile but did not respond to media questions. However, the next day, he sent a message to his friends, jointly signed by his wife, emphasizing "Since entering politics, I have always put the public interest first and have never engaged in corruption or embezzlement. This is a value I cherish deeply. I will also defend my innocence during the upcoming judicial investigation process."
In response, both the Office of the President and Executive Yuan expressed their respect for Cheng's decision. However, politicians of both the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) questioned whether Cheng's resignation was simply an attempt by the DPP to stop the bleeding and cut their losses.
Cheng the Shortest-Serving SEF Chair
On the afternoon of July 7th, SEF issued a statement citing that Cheng had resigned from his position as chairman to avoid impacting the operation of SEF and the promotion of the team's political agenda. The statement emphasized that Cheng cherishes the values and original intentions of his political career and will go all out to defend his innocence during the judicial process. Spokeswoman Kuo Ya-hui of the Office of the President stated that President Lai respects Cheng's decision and hopes that the judicial authorities will swiftly and impartially investigate the case and clarify the facts. Regarding the appointment of Cheng's successor as SEF chairman, it will be appropriately handled according to related regulations and procedures.
Cheng resigned after only one month in office, making him as the shortest-serving chairman in the history of the SEF. According to the SEF’s organizational charter, the chairman's term is three years, with the possibility of re-election. The current board's term does not expire until December 1, 2026, so the new chairman will have nearly two and a half years remaining in the term.
The KMT caucus of the Legislative Yuan strongly criticized Cheng's resignation, stating that Cheng Wen-tsan's alleged involvement in corruption and subsequent resignation is merely a move by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration to stop the bleeding. Cheng is the first high-ranking official accused of corruption in recent years. The KMT urged the judicial authorities to thoroughly investigate and clarify whether Cheng is involved in any other cases, given the disgraceful actions of high-level officials.
Opposition Criticizes DPP for Stopping Bleeding to Survive
Legislator Huang Kuo-chang, whip of the TPP caucus of the Legislative Yuan, remarked that it is not surprising that Cheng Wen-tsan was forced to announce his resignation under strong pressure of the public and DPP. He added that the main objective of the DPP is to cut its losses to survive. Regarding Cheng's successor, it is rumored that President Lai favors Wu Feng-shan of the "Tainan faction" for the position. DPP legislator Hsu Chih-chieh asserted that given the current cross-strait situation, the SEF chairman should be someone with less prominent political affiliations, and he believes President Lai will make the wisest decision.
Another DPP Legislator Chiu Chih-wei stated that the current stagnant cross-strait relations is essential for SEF to strengthen communication and coordination between the two sides. Choosing the right candidate would send a significant positive message to the other side of the Taiwan Strait. He continued to note that Wu has competency and suitable qualifications, lacks strong DPP affiliation, and is a respected veteran in politics, making him a suitable candidate. On the other hand, KMT Legislator Wang Hung-wei argued that Wu is nearly retired from politics, and appointing him would signify that President Lai does not care for the function of the SEF. She criticized that should Wu be appointed, it would signify that the SEF chairmanship is merely a token position for rewarding Lai's mentor, suggesting that Lai would abolish the SEF altogether.
DPP Legislators Urge for a Less Politically Charged Successor
Japanese media outlets have reported on Cheng’s scandal for two consecutive days. Yomiuri Shimbun ran the headline "Future Taiwanese Presidential Candidate Under Corruption Investigation," describing Cheng as a strong contender for the DPP's presidential nomination and one of the few "pro-China" members within the party capable of engaging in dialogue with Beijing. The report noted that President Lai appointed Cheng as SEF chairman in hopes of leveraging his influence to improve the Lai administration's relations with China.
Cheng has rarely been featured in Japanese media, with only few occasions related to cross-strait affairs. Jiji Press similarly described him as "one of the few politicians who possess benign attitude to China in the DPP, which keeps its distance from China," while also being a "formidable opponent to the current president." Kyodo News explicitly highlighted the competitive relationship between Cheng and Lai, hinting that the scandal might be politically motivated. However, it also emphasized that the corruption case has dealt a severe blow to the DPP, which prides itself on maintaining a clean image.
Most Japanese media outlets agree that this scandal will not only intensify opposition parties' attacks on the DPP regarding their corruption but also potentially impact Taiwan's policy towards China and the internal dynamics of the DPP. Yomiuri Shimbun further pointed out that Cheng’s involvement in corruption exposes the negative effects of the DPP's long-term governance.
From:https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20240708000442-260118?chdtv