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Lee Chuan-fu Accused of Owning Farmland with Illegal Structures, Renting Them Out

From Liberty Times · (9m ago) Chinese Critical tone

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • New Taipei City mayoral candidate Lee Chuan-fu is accused of having illegal structures on farmland he co-owns.
  • Critics allege these structures, including factory-like buildings and rented storefronts, were built while Lee held public office.
  • The controversy comes after accusations against his brother for alleged environmental violations.

The campaign for New Taipei City mayor has been marred by a fresh controversy surrounding candidate Lee Chuan-fu, who is now accused of co-owning farmland that hosts illegal structures, including what appears to be a factory and several rented commercial spaces. This revelation follows earlier allegations against his brother, Lee Ssu-fu, for alleged environmental violations in their hometown of Xiaoliuqiu.

He's not even elected yet and he's already lawless.

— Chang Yu-mengCriticizing Lee Chuan-fu's alleged involvement with illegal structures on his family's property.

According to reports, the disputed farmland, located in an agricultural zone, was cleared of trees around 2014. By 2017, metal-sheet structures began to appear, which have since been divided into four separate commercial units. These spaces have reportedly been leased to various businesses, including a car repair shop, a bar, a Southeast Asian cuisine restaurant, and a dive equipment supplier, among others. The timing of these developments is particularly sensitive, as Lee Chuan-fu served as Deputy Mayor of New Taipei City when the structures allegedly began to emerge.

If he hadn't run for election, how much longer would Xiaoliuqiu have had to endure this?

— Chang Yu-mengImplying that Lee Chuan-fu's family has a history of disregarding local regulations.

Critics, such as Chang Yu-meng, chairman of the Taiwan Youth Generation Association for Common Prosperity, have strongly condemned the situation. Chang questions Lee's integrity, suggesting that Lee's claims of ignorance about these activities are disingenuous, especially given the proximity to his family's ancestral home and his brother's guesthouse. The accusations imply a pattern of disregard for regulations within Lee's family, raising serious questions about his fitness for public office. The timing of these allegations, close to the election, suggests a deliberate political attack aimed at undermining Lee's candidacy.

The structures on the land were built by other owners.

— Lee Chuan-fuLee's defense against accusations regarding the illegal structures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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