A former Financial Times reporter's claim that votes in Hualien are routinely bought has turned into a political fight ahead of Taiwan's local elections, with the accusation now aimed back at the accuser.

• Kathrin Hille, who lives in rural Hualien, said neighbors openly describe cash being placed on tables with a set price per vote.
• Fu Kun-chi, a Hualien lawmaker and KMT caucus whip, demanded to know why she never reported it to authorities at the time.
• He said the statute of limitations runs 20 years, so she can still file a complaint — and that staying silent makes her complicit.
• He framed the foreign-media reports as a DPP tactic, pointing to similar vote-buying claims surfacing in Changhua.

Outlook: Expect the vote-buying accusations to keep escalating as Taiwan's election approaches, with both camps using foreign coverage as ammunition.