Taipei: Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun announced on Friday that the party will organize a rally in Taipei on July 25, urging the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government to address the Central Union Oil scandal and improve food safety measures. Cheng made the announcement alongside party Vice Chairman and Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung during a press conference at KMT headquarters.

According to Focus Taiwan, Cheng criticized the DPP government's handling of the contaminated oil case, accusing it of failing to manage the crisis effectively or assume responsibility. The decision to organize the rally came after Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an met with the party's legislative caucus and raised concerns shared by the public.

Participants will start gathering at 5 p.m. on July 25, with the main rally scheduled to commence at 6 p.m. on Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office, Cheng stated. The KMT plans to invite representatives from the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), experts, and civic groups to attend the event.

The rally aims to mirror public concerns and press the government to address food safety issues. The Central Union Oil case emerged in late June when the company reported a 1,300-metric-ton batch of soybean oil produced on April 4 contained the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene at nearly four times Taiwan's legal limit. Authorities noted that the company learned of the contamination nearly three weeks before reporting it, and prosecutors are investigating potential criminal liability.

Earlier on Friday, Chiang held a private meeting with KMT lawmakers, including caucus convener Fu Kun-chi, for about 40 minutes at the Legislative Yuan. This was followed by a joint news conference with Fu, where Chiang criticized the central government's handling of the contamination case. He stated that his visit to the Legislature was to exchange views with the main opposition party.

In a Facebook post, Chiang later encouraged those concerned about food safety to attend the rally on July 25.