Taoyuan MRT Green Line Scandal: Chinese Materials, Suspended Firms, and Allegations of Cover-Up
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A major infrastructure project in Taiwan is facing scrutiny following revelations of illegal materials sourcing and questionable oversight. Investigations reveal that portions of the under-construction Taoyuan MRT Green Line utilized stone materials from chinese companies and floor tiles from Taiwanese manufacturers currently suspended from government contracts. The controversy centers around the GC03 civil engineering and GM01 mechanical and electrical civil engineering projects along the Green Line.
According to reports, Mutual Aid Construction, a contractor involved in the project, allegedly used stone sourced from Xiamen Qiancheng Stone Industry Co., Ltd., a Chinese manufacturer. This directly violates Taiwan’s Government Procurement Act,which prohibits the use of Chinese-made products in major public works projects.
“the stone used to pave the station floor was produced by China’s Xiamen Qiancheng Stone Industry Co., Ltd.” and even bore a five-star logo, according to hundreds of pages of submission materials obtained by investigators. A whistleblower explained that standard procedure requires imported raw stone to be processed in Taiwan to obtain necesary certifications, but Mutual Construction bypassed this requirement by directly laying the Chinese-sourced stone, ostensibly to save time and money.
Despite the clear evidence, the Taoyuan MRT Engineering Bureau initially failed to identify the violation during its review process and afterward approved the project.The bureau initially denied the use of Chinese materials,but later claimed the stone had been replaced with Taiwanese products in June. however, a whistleblower asserted that documentation confirming this change was falsified.
Suspended Taiwanese Firm Also involved
The issues extend beyond Chinese materials. Mutual aid Construction also reportedly utilized quartz floor tiles from Seiko Ceramics,a company suspended for three years by the Public Works Committee of the Executive Yuan due to prior violations of “washing the place of production” for other companies. The suspension,in effect from April 23,2024,to April 22,2027,prohibits the company’s products from being used in major government projects.
Despite seiko ceramics’ suspended status, the Taoyuan Rapid Transit Engineering Bureau allegedly allowed its continued use, citing “rushing work” as justification. Bid submission data from June 26, 2024, clearly indicated Seiko Ceramics’ suspended status, yet the bureau seemingly ignored this critical detail.
rushed Construction leads to Quality Concerns
The push for an accelerated timeline appears to have compromised quality control. In addition to the materials violations, reports indicate that construction proceeded without completed design drawings, resulting in structural issues. Several stations experienced water accumulation during recent heavy rains, and instrument control screens became damp, raising concerns about the long-term functionality and safety of the system.
“The traffic control center and some stations are leaking because the roof is still under construction, and the waterproof layer, insulation board, and concrete cushion have not yet been completed,” a bureau spokesperson stated.
Bureau Defends Actions, Faces Scrutiny
The Taoyuan Rapid Transit engineering Bureau has defended its decisions, stating that Mutual Construction replaced the Chinese stone with products from Jinbida, a Taiwanese manufacturer, in June and that the use of the suspended firm’s tiles was authorized based on a legal opinion. The bureau also claimed that soil backfill improvements were approved through proper channels and that cooperation with Siemens regarding the early opening of the line is ongoing.
However, thes explanations have been met with skepticism. Liu Qingfeng, director of the Taoyuan Engineering Bureau, is facing accusations of prioritizing speed over quality.The allegations of falsified documentation and disregard for legal requirements have fueled calls for a thorough investigation into the project’s management and oversight.
The unfolding scandal raises serious questions about accountability and the integrity of Taiwan’s public infrastructure projects. The Taoyuan MRT Green Line, intended to be a symbol of progress, is now overshadowed by allegations of misconduct and a potential breach of public trust.
