Taiwan's top diplomat in Geneva is back home facing an investigation over misuse of public money, an embarrassing episode for the foreign ministry as it pushes for a bigger role at the World Health Organization.

• Li Kuan-te, head of Taiwan's Geneva office, returned this week to face questions over abusing public funds, filing false expense claims, and workplace bullying.
• The trigger was a Michelin-star dinner he threw for visiting lawmakers during last year's World Health Assembly, costing over ten thousand Taiwan dollars a head.
• He then missed his booked flight because of the meal, forcing new tickets that burned through more public money.
• One lawmaker asked the office to arrange a shopping run to a mall in neighbouring France, and staff provided cars and escorts for the trip.
• Switzerland is one of Europe's most expensive countries, so even locals cross into France to shop — the request was clearly well researched.

Outlook: With Taiwan's foreign and health ministers both showing up in Geneva this May and the schedule now packed with real work, the soft-touring era for these delegations looks over.