Hakka Affairs Commission, Taipei City Government

Commissioner Hu, Hsiao-Lan of the Taipei City Government's Department of Finance (DOF) recently led a delegation to visit the Finance and Taxation Bureau of Yilan County, Finance Department of Hualien County, as well as the Yilan and Hualien Reconnaissance Brigade of Coast Guard Administration under Ocean Affairs Council. This trip focused on practical matters related to tobacco and alcohol administration, the crackdown on illicit tobacco and alcohol products, and strategies for enhancing inter-regional cooperation. Both sides found the exchanges highly beneficial.

According to the DOF, discussions with the Yilan and Hualien finance authorities centered on how local governments implement the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act and strengthen enforcement against illegal products. The exchange of insights and operational experiences will help improve overall enforcement capacity.

The DOF also met with the Yilan and Hualien Reconnaissance Brigade of Coast Guard Administration under Ocean Affairs Council. Both brigades are responsible for patrolling long stretches of coastline where smuggling activities are common. The two sides explored ways to enhance cooperation through collaboration and intelligence sharing, with the aim of building a stronger enforcement network along the coast to combat illicit tobacco and alcohol trade.

In addition, the delegation visited King Car Kavalan Co., Ltd, an alcohol manufacturer under Taipei City’s jurisdiction, to gain the knowledge of liquor production processes and distribution management systems. Through direct engagement with industry representatives, the DOF gained a better understanding of the challenges faced by manufacturers in complying with liquor regulations and quality control requirements. This will help the DOF to design a better enforcement plans in the future.

The DOF concluded that the visits to the Finance and Taxation Bureau of Yilan County, Finance Department of Hualien County, the Yilan and Hualien Reconnaissance Brigade of Coast Guard Administration under Ocean Affairs Council was benefited greatly. The field visits and cross-regional exchanges are expected to strengthen Taipei’s governance capacity in policy-making, law enforcement, and industry oversight, thereby continuing to safeguard consumer rights and maintain market order.