Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) said he is a representative of central government policy in response to criticism over his visit to Hong Kong this week.
Saying he was sick, Fu skipped a legislative negotiation on Tuesday, although it was later revealed that he flew out that night to attend the Hong Kong International Travel Expo.
On Facebook yesterday, he said he was home in Hualien during the meeting that afternoon to recover from a severe cold before flying out.
Photo: Hua Meng-ching, Taipei Times
During his trip, which he attended alongside a delegation of Hualien tourism officials and representatives, Fu said he was “representing Taiwan’s central government” and dined with several pro-China Hong Kong lawmakers.
His trip has led to anger from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators, including caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤), who yesterday accused Fu of taking orders from Beijing.
“What orders or edicts did Fu receive in Hong Kong this time? Or is he asking [China] to help save the KMT from recalls?” Wu asked.
Wu also drew a connection between Fu’s activity in the legislature, such as introducing controversial bills, and his prior trips to China and Hong Kong.
“I represent the central government’s policies wherever I go,” Fu told reporters today in Hualien.
As a member of the Legislative Yuan, developing the tourism industry and attracting tourists to Taiwan “are part of my responsibilities,” he added.
Fu said that if the DPP, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) or President William Lai (賴清德) no longer support tourism from Hong Kong, then they should say so.
To aid the tourism industry, Taiwan should be welcoming to international travelers, he said, calling on the DPP to not be narrow-minded about building connections abroad.
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