Taiwan Sugar Denies Forest Destruction Allegations in Kaohsiung Development Project

Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) has refuted claims by environmental groups that it is destroying forests for profit in a land development project in Kaohsiung. The Taiwan Wild at Heart Ecological Association and the Forest City Association accused TSC of "speculating on land and destroying forests" as part of the third phase of development in the Kaohsiung New Town area.

In response, TSC issued a statement clarifying that the land is designated for economic afforestation, not a natural forest, and is intended for sustainable use through leasing, not selling. The company emphasized that it is cooperating with a government-led development plan spearheaded by the Ministry of the Interior's Land Administration Agency, and no final decisions have been made regarding the project.

TSC further explained that the development area comprises 40.72 hectares of land to be returned to TSC as compensatory land after expropriation, not the 102 hectares alleged. The company highlighted that it will bear significant land taxes and that the land will be activated through leasing, refuting claims of a NT$50 billion profit. Additionally, TSC noted that approximately 21.48 hectares of the "Ciaotou Sugar Refinery" area, a cultural landscape, will be designated as a preservation zone, with an additional 6.28 hectares surrounding it allocated for tourism development, ensuring the overall cultural and tourism value is not impacted.

The company stated that the land in question was originally sugarcane fields where trees were planted, classifying it as economic afforestation. TSC believes that proper thinning and development will boost local prosperity. The Ministry of the Interior's Land Administration Agency confirmed in a May 27th press release that the development plan is still in its procedural stages and has not reached any final decisions.