Tzu Chi Foundation defrauded of NT$1.06 billion in BNT vaccine deal; ex-minister calls for apologies

Taiwan's Tzu Chi Foundation lost approximately NT$1.06 billion due to a scam involving the procurement of BNT vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The former Minister of Health and Welfare, now Minister of the Cabinet, Chen Shih-chung, stated that he had repeatedly warned against vaccine scams at the time. He believes the truth has now emerged and those who made false accusations should apologize to society.

The scam involved Chen Yu-hsuan, former chair of the Changhua Bar Association, who allegedly defrauded the foundation by posing as an intermediary for BNT vaccine purchases. Prosecutors have indicted her.

The article also touches upon other significant news items in Taiwan. In a separate case, prosecutors have appealed the acquittal of Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke in a corruption investigation related to the "Fengcai 520" sinkhole incident in Zhubei. Separately, former director of the Ministry of the Interior's Southern Regional Engineering Office, Wu Jui-an, received a three-year and eight-month sentence for accepting bribes, a case facilitated by an assistant to legislator Cheng Tien-tsai.

Taiwan's trade surplus with the United States is projected to exceed $200 billion this year, potentially breaking records. In July alone, exports to the U.S. reached $23.34 billion, the third-highest monthly total on record. The article also reports on a disturbing incident where a special education student injured a female teacher in the eye by breaking a broom during a summer camp. Additionally, regulations for mainland Chinese students coming to Taiwan for short-term exchanges have been tightened, with universities required to provide detailed justifications and schedules for such visits.

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The truth has now emerged, and those who made false accusations at the time should apologize to society.