Taiwanese arts sector slams legislator's budget cuts; KMT faces 'ghost asset' probe

A proposal by Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Weng Hsiao-ling to drastically cut the Ministry of Culture's budget by over 1 billion New Taiwan dollars has ignited fierce opposition from the arts and cultural sector. The proposed cuts include a significant reduction of 210 million NT dollars from subsidies for arts groups, prompting accusations that Weng is using cultural funding as a tool for political maneuvering rather than supporting frontline cultural workers.

Meanwhile, the KMT faces scrutiny over its alleged hidden party assets, estimated at 4 billion NT dollars, reportedly held under "nominee registration." Officials revealed that the Songshan Paint Factory, a prime piece of real estate in Taipei, is considered a "ghost asset." This property was acquired by Taiwan Railways Administration from the KMT-affiliated Songshan Paint Company, yet the party allegedly pocketed the funds without transferring ownership to the state, continuing to occupy the land.

In a separate development, authorities are cracking down on travel scams originating from China, often advertised on platforms like Douyin. A Chinese national residing in Taiwan was prosecuted after allegedly lending her bank account to a Chinese travel agency to collect deposits for fraudulent "free and easy" tours. After collecting the funds, the agency reportedly abandoned the account holder, leaving her to face legal consequences. The case highlights a growing trend of online scams targeting unsuspecting travelers.