Tsai Ing-wen's New Year's Day speech meant that there would be no cash, but Su Tseng-chang, the head of the Taiwan authorities' administrative agency, publicly announced today that part of the 180 billion yuan available must be reserved for emergencies, and the rest is planned to

(Picture/File photo of this newspaper) Image source: Taiwan's "China Times News Network"

[Comprehensive report from China Jingwei Network] Taiwan's tax revenue exceeded NT$450 billion last year. Whether it can "return taxes to the people" has aroused heated discussions. Tsai Ing-wen's New Year's Day speech meant that there would be no cash, but Su Tseng-chang, the head of the Taiwan authorities' administrative agency, publicly announced today that part of the 180 billion yuan available must be reserved for emergencies, and the rest is planned to be used in cash for all the people to share.

is going against Tsai Ing-wen? Su Tseng-chang relented to "find gold"

After Tsai Ing-wen said in her New Year's Day speech that no gold would be found, some politicians speculated that it might be left to the administrative team to be reorganized so that the new team could issue red envelopes. Su Tseng-chang, who is fighting to stay in office, is now the first to set the tone for the discovery of gold.

Overtaxed 450 billion yuan Picture source: Taiwan's "China News Network"

Su Tseng-chang said in an interview today that Taiwan's tax revenue exceeded 450 billion yuan last year, of which 70 billion yuan was local, 100 billion yuan was used to subsidize labor and health insurance electricity prices, 100 billion yuan was allocated to strengthen the economy, and the other 180 billion yuan was not only reserved for emergencies, but also planned for revitalization and shared by all people.

He said that the 180 billion yuan, after deducting unforeseen needs, will be shared by the whole people in the form of "discovery cash". However, this approach must be based on "legal sources" and needs to be approved by Taiwan's legislative body. The relevant planning needs to be done as a whole, and it is not a private red envelope.

In this regard, Hong Mengkai, chairman of the Kuomintang Cultural Communication Committee, called for "repaying taxes to the people" in line with the expectations of the people. However, Su Zhenchang should announce the details of the cash this week and make sure it is recorded before the Lunar New Year, so that Taiwanese people can have a good year. This is the real use of money.

However, Hong Mengkai still doubts that Tsai Ing-wen's recent decision to "not find gold" has disappointed many people; Su Zhenchang's decision to find gold today is based on careful consideration and development of a sharing plan, or is it because of too much political and public pressure before letting the wind go?

The Kuomintang stated that Tsai Ing-wen’s administration overcollected more than 430 billion yuan in taxes last year, and this year it is expected to exceed 450 billion yuan. Kuomintang Chairman Zhu Lilun advocated that these overcollected taxes should help disadvantaged and low-income youth, so that those in need can receive more support.

Is the green business going to "return taxes to the people" on behalf of Tsai Ing-wen?

As for "returning taxes to the people", which has attracted much attention recently, not only the Kuomintang's representatives have repeatedly called for universal cash distribution, but even the Democratic Progressive Party's own representatives have also jumped out and shouted that they should "repay taxes to the people." For example, the British public opinion representative Wang Meihui publicly stated that she understands Tsai Ing-wen's difficult decision, but she also asks Tsai Ing-wen to sympathize with the life pressure of the grassroots. Now that overtaxation is a fact, as the Lunar New Year is approaching, the people very much need the policy of "returning taxes to the people" and call on the Tsai administration to distribute funds universally and take care of all the people.

British public opinion representative Guan Biling also said that the plan planned by the Tsai administration is full of reform ideals and high vision. However, the current feeling of the people is that they are more disappointed than considerate. She believes that administrative agencies need to use a high degree of sensitivity to respond quickly.

New faction public opinion representative Lai Ruilong said that economic growth dividend comes from the people, and he encourages and supports the Tsai administration to implement it as soon as possible and return taxes to the people. Regardless of whether sending cash or consumer coupons are good methods, "it is recommended to send cash" is the fastest, most effective and convenient way.

Su Zhenchang, head of the administrative agency of the Taiwan authorities. Newspaper file photo Source: Taiwan's "United News Network"

From this point of view, the pressure from all parties has been very obvious, forcing Su Zhenchang to make a U-turn today, saying that "the method of discovering gold requires 'legal source' basis and budget preparation, and it needs to be approved by the legislative body."

Now the pressure of not issuing cash has come to the decision-making body of Taiwan’s legislative body. However, judging from the continuous public calls by many public opinion representatives to distribute money, it seems that the possibility of all people receiving red envelopes before the Lunar New Year has greatly increased.

DPP election calculations Tsai Ing-wen may lose public support

However, the current global political and economic situation is unstable, and Taiwan will enter an "unquiet era." Taiwan's traditional industries may encounter a cold winter in the first half of this year. If they cannot survive, unpaid leave and even increased unemployment will have a greater impact on society.And although cash can stimulate consumption, it will also contribute to inflation pressure. In addition, whether cash or consumer vouchers must be passed through a special budget, it cannot be completed before the Spring Festival.

Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen delivered a 2023 New Year speech on the 1st. (China Times File Photo/Photo by Liu Zonglong) Picture source: Taiwan's "China Times News Network"

In this case, party and government sources revealed that Xiaoying believes that the distribution of excess tax revenue should be prioritized and carried out in stages. The money should be given to the most needy industries and disadvantaged groups first, and a portion should be reserved to deal with possible storms. After it is determined that the risks of the boom have passed, the excess money will be given out. This can be regarded as "sharing by all."

However, after the Green Camp Democratic Party and the administrative agencies tried their best to save the sluggish support, the Taiwanese people have already expected it, and the administrative agencies often throw money at political achievements. When Tsai Ing-wen said that this decision was not easy, please understand that even the Democratic Progressive Party's own Democratic Party will not pay the bill.

"This phenomenon conveys a clear and important message." You Yinglong, chairman of the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation, emphasized that the authority of Tsai Ing-wen's decision-making has been challenged by public opinion representatives and the people of Taiwan. This is undoubtedly a new political phenomenon after the 2022 election. Such a start to the new year means that Tsai Ing-wen will face endless challenges throughout the next year to the 2024 election of leaders and public representatives in Taiwan, especially when the situation inside and outside Taiwan changes and her personal reputation is no longer high.