# Taiwan Presidential Office budget dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/taiwan-presidential-office-budget-dispute
> Updated: 2026-08-27T03:04:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The Taiwan Presidential Office reported that budget freezes and reductions to state affairs discretionary funds by the Legislative Yuan disrupted the procurement of Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes. These goods were intended to be sourced from 37 sheltered workshops and non-profit groups supporting disadvantaged populations.

President Lai Ching-te pledged to donate 200,000 TWD to purchase products from these workshops to encourage support for social welfare organizations following the budget crisis. Other Democratic Progressive Party members also contributed funds. 

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an criticized the situation, stating the Presidential Office’s explanation appeared to be ‘abandoning orders’ from the workshops and suggesting that vulnerable groups were being used as a tool for political maneuvering.

In response to the cancellation of orders, Taipei City Councilor Qin Huizhu proposed a fundraising initiative to cover the costs of 15,000 gift boxes for the 37 workshops. Qin suggested that she and Mayor Chiang each donate 200,000 TWD, with the remaining 7.1 million TWD to be raised through additional donations. Qin has also called for transparency from the Presidential Office regarding the total cost of the boxes, the timing of the cancellations, and the specific procurement methods used for the original contracts.

## Claims

- The freezing of state affairs expenses has prevented the procurement of Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes. (single source)
- State affairs expenses are used to provide care for disadvantaged groups. (single source)
- The Presidential Office's explanation constitutes abandoning orders from sheltered workshops. (single source)
- Qin Huizhu proposed donating 200,000 TWD each, alongside Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, and raising 7.1 million TWD to cover 15,000 Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes for sheltered workshops. (single source)
- Qin Huizhu requested the Presidential Office to clarify the total cost of the 15,000 gift boxes. (single source)
- Qin Huizhu demanded to know when the Presidential Office notified the 37 sheltered workshops about the cancellation of their orders. (single source)
- Qin Huizhu questioned the procurement process used for the gift boxes, including whether they were tendered individually or through a single company. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-27: Qin Huizhu proposes fundraising for sheltered workshop gift boxes

Taipei Councilor Qin Huizhu proposed raising 7.5 million TWD to fund 15,000 Mid-Autumn gift boxes for sheltered workshops after the Presidential Office cancelled orders due to budget freezes.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taoyuan-police-arrest-wanted-fugitive-after-failed-attempt-to-feign-memory-loss

### 2026-08-20: President Lai donates 200,000 TWD to support sheltered workshops

President Lai Ching-te is donating 200,000 TWD to sheltered workshops after budget cuts to the Presidential Office's discretionary funds threatened Mid-Autumn Festival orders for social welfare groups.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-lai-donates-200000-twd-to-support-sheltered-workshops

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Cite as: Taiwan Presidential Office budget dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/taiwan-presidential-office-budget-dispute