Taiwanese official denies travel expenses were secret, cites data protection needs

Hsu Chih-chien, chairperson of Taiwan's Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), has addressed accusations that her nearly month-long solo trip cost over one million New Taiwan dollars and that expenses like "French presidential-level desserts" and movie tickets were classified as secret. Responding to a press conference by the Taiwan People's Party legislative caucus, Hsu clarified that she never stated the budget was secret. She emphasized that while overseas Taiwanese citizens' personal data requires protection, legislators can access full details through official requests.

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I have never said that the relevant budget is a secret budget, only that the online report after returning from the trip needs to be processed in a hidden manner because it involves the personal data of overseas Taiwanese citizens, but legislators can understand the complete itinerary through the method of requesting information.

The OCAC will now regularly provide legislative bodies with requested information and updates on its progress in responding to data requests, aiming for public scrutiny. Hsu explained that the increase in the OCAC's travel budget in recent years is a response to global inflation and a 10-15% rise in international oil prices. She noted that she often travels alone, managing her own luggage and itinerary.

Further clarifying budget classifications, Hsu pointed out that the OCAC's travel budget only includes categories for "inspections," "visits," and "meetings." Activities such as "fact-finding tours," "further studies," and "research," which were mentioned by the opposition legislators, are not part of the OCAC's allocated travel budget. She stressed the importance of overseas travel for the OCAC's mission, which primarily serves overseas Taiwanese citizens, schools, and businesses. Neglecting these interactions, she argued, would be dereliction of duty.

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The increase in the OCAC's travel budget in recent years is due to the rise in international oil prices and global inflation reaching 10% to 15%. When I travel, I often do not have accompanying colleagues and handle my own luggage and itinerary.

Hsu affirmed her commitment to her duties, attending important meetings in Taiwan without fail, even while managing overseas responsibilities. She expressed respect for the legislative caucus's efforts to obtain information on the OCAC's activities and budget through official channels.

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The business scope of the OCAC is mainly to serve overseas Taiwanese citizens, overseas Taiwanese schools, and overseas Taiwanese businessmen and students. If we do not travel abroad and do not interact with overseas Taiwanese groups, communities, and citizens, it would be a dereliction of duty.