Zhao Shaokang asked directly, "Are you from the CIA?" Shen Boyang smiled and replied: I'm not. It's normal to apply for funding for research.

Taipei mayoral candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party Shen Boyang went to media personality Zhao Shaokang's program "Shaokang War Room" for an exclusive interview today (7th). He was asked about his past applications for US research funds and that Shen Boyang's father had business dealings with China. Shen Boyang said that when doing research in academia, you will apply for funding, whether from Taiwan, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom and other international organizations.

Zhao Shaokang asked that the Open Society Foundation founded by Soros funded three organizations in Taiwan through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), namely the Taiwan Democracy Laboratory, the Taiwan Association for the Promotion of Human Rights, and the Environmental Lawyers Association. He pointed out that these are all related to Shen Boyang. Former legislator Chen Baiwei once joked that "I have CIA funds in my right hand and the CCP's money in my left hand." Zhao also asked bluntly: "Are you from the CIA?"

Shen Boyang first concluded, "I'm not from the CIA, and Bai Wei said that as a joke." He said that when doing research in academia, he will apply for funding from institutions such as the National Science Council. Shen himself has studied corruption, and his application for funding from the Taipei City Government was approved. For research, he not only gets funding from Taiwan, but also applies to Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and other international organizations.

Shen Boyang mentioned that Soros is a well-known international organization, but in fact it has nothing to do with USAID. Many people link "receiving funds from Soros for research" to "Soros is related to USAID", and then to "USAID is related to CIA". It is logical to associate it with "you are the CIA". This is a bit whimsical for people who normally receive subsidies to do research.

Zhao Shaokang also asked, where are these research funds mainly spent?

Shen Boyang also clarified that the main reason is personnel expenses; the establishment of an NGO and think tank Taiwan Democracy Research Office will inherently involve various activities and personnel expenses. As the chairman, he cannot pay a salary. The money is entirely used for research in the think tank. The salary comes from Taipei University. His role in the think tank is mainly to provide brains and plan research directions and precautions. He also added that fund write-offs are very complicated and strict.