Li Zhenxiu Faces Political Storm: Accusations, Allegations, and Public Backlash in Taiwan’s Legislative Arena

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislator-at-large Li Zhenxiu (李貞秀) appeared at the Legislative Yuan on April 22, 2026, seeking assistance from Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) to block the oath-taking of her replacement, newly sworn-in TPP legislator Hsu Chung-hsin (許忠信).

Li Zhenxiu, who was expelled from the TPP on April 13, 2026, following a unanimous vote by the party’s Central Evaluation Committee, arrived at the legislature to protest Hsu Chung-hsin’s official seating as her successor. The expulsion came after allegations that Li had falsified official documents and violated the Anti-Corruption Act, prompting an investigation by the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office.

Hsu Chung-hsin was formally sworn in as a TPP legislator-at-large on April 22, 2026, to fill the vacancy left by Li Zhenxiu’s expulsion. Upon taking office, Hsu remarked that “the light boat has already passed through the myriad mountains” (輕舟已過萬重山), signaling his readiness to assume the role amid the ongoing controversy.

The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office opened a miscellaneous investigation into Li Zhenxiu on April 14, 2026, focusing on allegations that she falsified official documents and contravened the Anti-Corruption Act. The case was assigned to the chief prosecutor of the special division for organized crime and corruption cases, though no summons for questioning has been issued as of the date of her appearance at the legislature.

Li Zhenxiu’s expulsion followed claims that she told party officials Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao (高虹安) had received NT$7 million (US$220,890) from former TPP chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲). The Central Election Commission subsequently requested the Legislative Yuan revoke her legislator status under Article 73, Paragraph 2 of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act.

Li Zhenxiu, who took office in February 2026 as a legislator-at-large for the TPP, has faced sustained scrutiny over her Chinese nationality and allegations of irregularities during her candidate registration, including accusations of concealing information and bypassing procedures.