Taiwanese officials trade barbs over presidential office's mooncake order cancellation

A political spat has erupted in Taiwan over the presidential office's cancellation of a mooncake order from a sheltered workshop, a move that has drawn sharp criticism and counter-accusations between ruling and opposition parties.

“

You are the one who kills, you are the one who sets fires, and you are the one who comes out to shout for help. Why must you be like this?

Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Ho Chih-wei accused Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen of hypocrisy, likening her actions to "killing and setting fires, then claiming to be a savior." He criticized her for allegedly creating a fuss over the canceled order, suggesting that if the budget for the national affairs fund had not been cut, the situation would not have arisen.

In response, Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin stated that Ho had confirmed the presidential office's cancellation of the order, validating Mayor Lu's claims. Cheng also noted that Ho expressed gratitude to Mayor Lu, which he interpreted as confirmation that her timely support for the workshop was correct. He urged the presidential office to explore alternative budget measures to assist vulnerable groups.

“

He generously confirmed that the Presidential Office did indeed cancel the order, proving that Mayor Lu's statement was not wrong.

The controversy stems from a proposal by KMT Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling to cut the national affairs fund, which prevented the presidential office from fulfilling its planned mooncake purchase from the workshop. Mayor Lu had publicly criticized the presidential office for abandoning the order and offered to have the Taichung city government take it over.

“

He also expressed his gratitude to Mayor Lu, which confirms that Mayor Lu's timely support for our vulnerable factory's mooncakes was correct.