TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Mayor Ann Kao (高虹安) resumed her duties as Hsinchu City mayor on Thursday (Dec. 18) after her corruption conviction was overturned on appeal. Supporters gathered outside City Hall and held signs to welcome her back, while Kao, a centrist political party member, expressed her emotion with a rose in her hand.
The Taiwan High Court (台灣高等法院) overturned Kao's conviction on Monday (Dec. 15). The court reclassified Kao's case to falsification of documents, sentencing her to six months with a fine option. The Hsinchu City Government filed Kao's reinstatement application the same day. The Ministry of the Interior (MOI, 內政部), Taiwan's domestic affairs agency, faxed approval for her reinstatement under the Local Government Act (地方制度法), Taiwan's municipal governance law.
Kao smiled as she entered, expressing gratitude to her colleagues, citizens, and family. She said that after more than a year of challenges, she is finally back with the government. She thanked those who had supported her during difficult times and acknowledged the pressure from her family, promising to approach her work with love.
Kao urged everyone to return to their posts and pledged to face adversity with a smile, working towards the happiness of Hsinchu's residents. Following Kao's return to office, the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, announced the party's support for Kao's bid for a second term in the 2026 local election. The political cooperation with TPP in Hsinchu city means the party will not nominate a candidate for Hsinchu City's mayoral election. ◼
