Control Yuan Report Confirms Leak of Diplomatic Documents and Official Favoritism in Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's Duty-Free Liquor Import Controversy

In late July 2026, controversies surrounding Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's past American citizenship admissions and duty-free customs clearance for personal liquor during her tenure as Representative to the U.S. resurfaced in Taiwanese politics. Prior to leaving her post in Washington in 2024, reports leaked showing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued an urgent letter requesting the Customs Administration to grant duty-free and inspection-exempt clearance for Hsiao's personal imported items, including 23 bottles of expensive liquor. At the time, the DPP government and MOFA denied any wrongdoing, labeling public criticism as "disinformation" and "cognitive warfare." However, a recent Control Yuan investigation report explicitly confirmed that 13 internal diplomatic documents, including the MOFA exemption letter, were authentic and had indeed been leaked, shattering official denials. Combined with Hsiao's self-admitted sole U.S. citizenship in her 2004 autobiography, critics slammed the ruling elite for packaging personal privileges under equal rights rhetoric while resorting to administrative cover-ups when confronted with public scrutiny.