Historical documents allege Taipei Deputy Mayor was KMT informant; she calls interactions 'normal'

Taipei Deputy Mayor Hsu-Chih-chiang is facing renewed accusations of having acted as an informant, or "抓耙子" (zhuāpāzi), for the Kuomintang (KMT) during her time at university. The allegations stem from a historical document revealed by York University Associate Professor Shen Jung-chin, which suggests Hsu-chiang reported on student activities to authorities during the authoritarian era.

Hsu-chiang responded to the claims by stating that her involvement with the KMT began in high school, and as a student leader and active participant in school clubs, it was natural for teachers and military instructors to engage in conversations with her. She asserted that she did not receive any funding and was unaware of how any reports might have been compiled by "the other side."

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She stated that as a member of the KMT and a student leader, interactions with teachers and military instructors were normal.

This is not the first time Hsu-chiang has faced such accusations. In 2020, Democratic Progressive Party legislator Fan Yun released a list of individuals who allegedly served as informants within the "campus stability system" during the KMT's rule. At that time, a "political science, fourth-year, female student council president" on the list was identified by then-Kaohsiung city councilor Kao Min-lin as Hsu-chiang. Hsu-chiang denied the allegations then, stating that while she met with government representatives, all student council presidents in Taiwan were under government scrutiny, and she was the one being monitored.

During a press conference on July 16, Hsu-chiang reiterated her position, emphasizing that her interactions were limited to discussions about club activities with teachers and instructors, and she had no contact with dissident groups. She expressed surprise at the newly revealed document but pointed out that it confirmed she received no financial compensation or instructions.

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She did not receive any funding and was unaware of how any reports might have been compiled by 'the other side.'