Taiwanese president raises eyebrows over expensive lunch
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TAIPEI - Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen raised eyebrows after having a purportedly expensive lunch at a French restaurant on government expenses during a visit to Miaoli County, Saturday.
Tsai and 23 others ate at Carcassonne French Restaurant in Tunglou Township after visiting a fruit farm in the nearby town of Kungkuan.
It was estimated that the group of 24 eating at the restaurant -- completely reserved for the presidential lunch -- cost at least NT$30,000 (US$955), or more than NT$1,000 (US$31) per person, according to the Central News Agency.
The Hakka Affairs Council, which arranged the president's trip to the county, paid for the lunch, the CNA said. Miaoli is known for its large population of Hakka people.
The CNA cited critics from the media as asking what people would think about Tsai having an expensive meal.
Former Vice President Lien Chan was once seen having a NT$500 (US$15) lunch-box meal, and since then he has been criticised repeatedly over the years, the CNA cited the critics as saying.
Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang said the restaurant was chosen for the occasion because the owner is a "native son" of Miaoli who had returned home to open a successful business.
Huang said the lunch in Tunglou was organised to allow the president to talk with Miaoli natives who have returned home to open businesses, as well as others from certain local business sectors.
