TPP leader breaks silence on paparazzi allegations

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) on Tuesday criticized web-only news outlet Mirror Daily for alleging that he ran a political paparazzi group, accusing the publication of "smearing the opposition on behalf of the ruling party."

Mirror Daily reported Friday that Huang began organizing the group in 2022, two years after launching the Taiwan Anti-Corruption and Whistleblower Protection Association (TAWPA), and that the group monitored Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politicians.

Huang had not responded to the allegations until Tuesday.

At a press conference, however, when asked whether TAWPA paid people involved in the alleged group, Huang did not answer directly. Instead, he said, "Unlike Mirror Daily, TAWPA conducts all investigations based on facts."

Huang also defended journalist Hsieh Hsing-en (謝幸恩), who resigned Monday from the state-affiliated Central News Agency after the report claimed she recruited former reporters with experience in surveillance and photography.

Huang said he was "speechless" at the accusations against Hsieh, and in turn, labeled Mirror Daily "Taiwan's biggest paparazzi group."

During the same press event, the outspoken politician warned Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君), who oversees trade negotiations with the United States, not to "sell out" to Washington's "50-50" semiconductor plan.

Huang, who is also a lawmaker, argued that Taiwan's chip industry is vital to both the economy and diplomacy, and called the U.S. proposal an attempt to "hollow out the foundations of Taiwan's technology sector."

The 50-50 plan was mentioned Sunday in a NewsNation interview, in which U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the Trump administration is pushing Taiwan to ensure half of the chips used in the U.S. are manufactured domestically.