Hsinchu County election faces allegations of money politics

Political tensions are escalating in Hsinchu County as candidates and activists trade accusations of corruption and money politics ahead of upcoming elections.

Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Xu Xinying has strongly denied allegations regarding her ties to religious and political networks. Responding to claims made by New Power Party Chairperson Wang Wanyü, Xu characterized the accusations as “deliberate mudslinging” and “rumors” intended to influence the election. Xu emphasized her 20-year political career without such issues and framed the contest as a choice between “competent politics” and “money politics.”

Simultaneously, local representative Chen Guanyu has challenged President Lai Ching-te regarding the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) nomination of Cheng Chao-fang. Chen raised concerns over alleged financial irregularities involving the Cheng family, including suspicious land transactions and potential tax evasion totaling over 115 million TWD. Chen criticized the nomination, suggesting it endorses a family legacy associated with land and financial influence in the region.