The Taichung headquarters of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) was improperly obtained and must be returned to the city, the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee announced on Tuesday.
After retreating to Taiwan, the KMT occupied the former Taichung City Hall building, which it used as its headquarters in the city for 36 years, the committee found.
As the city government requested that it vacate the building, the party in 1985 asked the city to offer “relocation compensation” of NT$35 million (US$1.14 million at the current exchange rate) to build a new office, it said.
Photo courtesy of the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee
It then purchased a plot of public land in Taichung’s fifth redevelopment zone from the city at a low price, where the headquarters now stand, it said.
The committee determined that the land and building were purchased with NT$35 million in public funds, yet is registered in the party’s name, making it improperly obtained.
The property on Dalong Road in Situn District (西屯) is estimated to be worth more than NT$100 million today.
It marks the first time a local KMT headquarters has been labeled as improperly obtained and ordered to be returned, an official said.
It is also the first case referred by a member of the public that has been confirmed, the official said, adding that a reward would be issued in accordance with regulations.
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