KMT Legislator Justin Chou (
"According to the institute, its goal is to plan the nation's strategy of developing technology over the next five to 10 years. However, many essays published by its advisers are about politics rather than science or technology," Chou said.
Chou was referring to the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI). It was initially established under the National Science Council (NSC) and then separated from the NSC in January last year.
"Except for undertaking research, the institute has no other businesses. Among approximately 60 advisers it currently employs, 26 are pro-independence activists," he said at a press conference.
Chou said the institute seemed to have become a "rest-home" for the pro-independence activists it employs.
"The institute's advisers such as President of the Examination Yuan Yao Chia-wen (
According to Chou, the budget earmarked for the institute was NT$20 million (US$634,517) last year, financed by the Executive Yuan's Technology Development Fund, and NT$28.5 million this year with funding from the NSC.
Chou claimed many of the institute's research projects were inconsistent with its goal.
"For example, one is about how to protest China's claim that Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China, and another is about how to enhance Taiwan's national identity and ensure the sustainable development of a localized Taiwanese regime in 2008. What's the relevance of those to science and technology?" he said.
The institute issued a statement denying Chou's accusation yesterday, in which it said the advisers it employs are all qualified to help the institute's development.
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