Taiwan Watchdog Publishes Property Filings; Huang Kuo-chang Notes Building Demolition

Taiwan's Parliament's ethics watchdog has released its latest property declarations, revealing details about the assets of various public officials. Among them, Huang Kuo-chang, chairman of the Taiwan People's Party and former legislator, noted in his resignation filing that a building located in New Taipei City's Xizhi District was completely demolished in October 2024 and its property tax registration subsequently canceled.

This declaration is part of the regular property reporting required by the Control Yuan, Taiwan's highest watchdog body. The latest issue of the "Clean Government Journal" includes filings from several other officials. These include Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei, Taitung County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling, Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang, Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an, and Chiayi Mayor Huang Min-hui.

Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang and his wife declared savings of NT$5.95 million and business investments exceeding NT$88.86 million, an increase of over NT$29 million from their previous filing. Their assets include stakes in Keelung Second Credit Cooperative, WEALTH SYNERGY LIMITED, and Taifeng Industrial Co. They also reported private debts totaling NT$12.64 million and placed one property and some stocks in trust.

Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an reported no land or buildings, with savings of NT$14.29 million, a decrease of about NT$3.8 million from her initial filing upon taking office in 2023. Chiayi Mayor Huang Min-hui and her husband declared one land parcel and four buildings in Taipei's Shilin District, with savings of NT$3.48 million and debts of NT$6.65 million for working capital and property purchases.

Hsu Chen-wei and her husband, Legislator Fu Kun-chi, declared over ten land parcels and buildings in Hualien and Kaohsiung counties. Some of these assets are in trust. They also reported savings of over NT$10.67 million, trust accounts valued at NT$1.35 million, and debts of NT$55.72 million used for insurance premium payments, property acquisition, and mortgage payments. Additionally, they have stocks valued at NT$2.12 million placed in trust.

Rao Ching-ling and her spouse declared eight land parcels and buildings in New Taipei City's Zhonghe District, with savings of over NT$15.46 million and a trust account worth NT$1.17 million. They also have a debt of NT$24.01 million for a home purchase, secured by the property. Huang Kuo-chang and his wife declared 14 land parcels and four buildings across New Taipei City, Hsinchu County, and Yilan County. Their filing also listed five properties in Xizhi District, along with jewelry, antiques, and artwork valued at NT$14.27 million. Their debts amount to over NT$12.58 million, primarily for working capital and mortgage payments. Huang's declaration specifically addresses a past controversy regarding alleged encroachment on state-owned land and an illegal structure at his old family home in Xizhi, noting its complete demolition and tax registration cancellation.

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He located in New Taipei City's Xizhi District building has already been completely demolished in October 2024 and the house tax registration has been cancelled.