The controversy over People’s Party legislator Li Zhenxiu’s dual citizenship continues to escalate. Recently, Kuomintang (KMT) councilor Zhong Xiaoping revealed on a political talk show that Li had successfully renounced her Chinese citizenship, prompting Li to angrily call Zhong a “dog.”
On the evening of March 23, Li went live on social media to accuse Zhong of spreading rumors, and unexpectedly claimed that “Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an received 7 million from Ko Wen-je,” sparking heated public debate. On March 24, Li apologized to Kao, saying that she had been emotional and confused by the information, which led to her citing that number. Analysts suggest this incident indicates that multiple People’s Party members may have received illegal cash, and that cracks are emerging in the Blue-White-Red coalition.
Li Zhenxiu claims ‘Kao Hung-an received 7 million from Ko Wen-je’
According to a Central News Agency report, Kuomintang Taipei City Councilor Zhong Xiaoping recently stated on a talk show that a “Chinese-spouse case” successfully renounced Chinese citizenship. Li Zhenxiu called Zhong “that dog… unworthy of being human.”
Late on March 23, Li went live unexpectedly, losing control and angrily denouncing Zhong for spreading rumors, and unexpectedly revealed: “During the Ko Wen-je case court hearings, I attended and found out that just Kao Hung-an alone received 7 million from Ko Wen-je.”
In response, Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an said on March 24, “It’s completely fabricated. I never received such money,” and emphasized her willingness to testify in court. “I hope those spreading unverified and malicious defamation exercise self-restraint.”
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Newtalk reported that Kao clarified that whether it was the “500” in an Excel sheet circulating publicly or the “7 million” Li mentioned from court hearings, it was entirely untrue. She stressed that the People’s Party provided her election funding legally, all properly reported with remittance records, and verified by the Control Yuan; this information can be found online.
“If necessary, I am willing to testify in court to clarify publicly. As for unverified, maliciously defamatory remarks, I hope those spreading them exercise self-restraint,” Kao said.
On March 24, Li Zhenxiu told reporters at the Legislative Yuan: “I want to sincerely apologize to Mayor Kao again. Yesterday I was very emotional, listened to the hearings many times, and read many reports, which caused all the information to become confused, leading me to give that number. If I have the chance to meet Mayor Kao, I will apologize in person.”
Li clarified that all of Ko Wen-je’s fundraising for the party went to party affairs and not a single penny went into her personal pocket. But due to confused and incorrect information, it caused Kao Hung-an distress, and she apologized again.
Did multiple People’s Party members receive illegal cash?
The issue has sparked public debate. Political commentator Wu Jingyi discussed it in a post.
Wu posted Li Zhenxiu’s video on Threads, in which Li said: “There’s also Qiu Peilin and Xie Guoliang’s mother taking that money, two million here, two million there, totaling several million. Just think about it—Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an alone received 7 million. I only found out by attending the court hearings.”
Wu noted that Li’s claim that Kao received 7 million could trigger a side case in political donations. She suggested that Kao may not be the only one; multiple people could have received cash from Ko Wen-je.
Wu added that Li highlighted key testimony: although Qiu Peilin handled millions, Ko Wen-je did not take it personally. Li claimed Ko gave 7 million to Kao, but according to Taiwan People’s Party filings, only 1.11 million was reported to Lin Guan-nian, 1.10 million to Lai Xiang-ling, 0.2 million to Chen Wan-hui, and 3 million to Kao Hung-an. Clearly, the 4 million discrepancy either reflects unreported money Kao received, or potential false testimony related to Ko Wen-je. This concerns unreported political donations, suggesting that multiple People’s Party members may have received illegal cash.
Wu also asked: Did Ko Wen-je use these candidates as fundraising fronts? If the cash did not enter the party’s official funds, where did Ko’s cash go? How did Kao acquire 7 million? If Ko can prove he did not take the money, tracing it could involve many people in unexplained wealth violations.
Wu concluded: “If Xiaocao [a nickname for Ko] wants to save himself, the recipients must return the money. The more returned, the lighter his sentence. To be truly clean, all who took Ko’s money must come forward!” She sarcastically added, “Only a thorough audit can save Ko. Xiaocao, wake up! Others are neither clear nor clean, so Ko isn’t clean either.”
Wu said: “If Li Zhenxiu lied, she should leave the Legislative Yuan; if Kao privately took money, she should quit the election; if Ko committed perjury, his sentence should be increased. Simple—someone among you is lying, don’t blame it on Cheng-de [Vice President Lai].”
Netizens: People’s Party scorched-earth tactics
Netizens also commented: “So they admit numbers exist, just not the same ones,” “Again Blue-White… where did the 7 million come from? Is it in asset declarations?” “Infighting!” “Does Peggy [Pei-chi] know about this—Ko giving money to other women?” “Wow… truly the People’s Party’s scorched-earth policy! Direct infighting within the party.”
Observers also said the case shows cracks in the Blue-White-Red coalition. Regarding Li calling Zhong a “dog,” political analysis page ‘Voice on Politics’ noted that Zhong is not from the DPP but the KMT. This means Li’s anger was triggered not by an opponent but by someone from a friendly camp undermining her. Zhong’s comment, “I know someone who successfully renounced Chinese citizenship,” not only criticizes her but also drops a shock to Blue-White allies: “You have no excuse, because someone did it.”
The page said this exposes a real issue in the Blue-White-Red alliance: cooperation may appear possible, but everyone has their own calculations. That Li publicly lashed out at Zhong shows he struck a core pain point. Criticism from the DPP can be framed as political suppression, but Zhong’s comment felt like deadly truth from within the same political circle. Analysts say this incident highlights that cracks may already exist in the Blue-White-Red cooperation.
By Li Jingyao
