World

Hu Song-Rong’s Burden: The Fall of Victor Chang in the Public Eye

Published

1 year ago

March 13, 2024

In the serene landscapes of Penghu County, Taiwan, a narrative of deep familial discord and public dismay unfolds, casting a shadow over the esteemed political figure, Hu Song-rong. Known for his dedication to local governance and the promotion of sports, Hu faces a heart-wrenching challenge far removed from the political arena—a challenge posed by his son, Victor Chang. Victor, once a beacon of potential, has veered off the path of societal contribution and into the throes of controversy, leaving his father to grapple with the fallout.

Victor Chang‘s advocacy for substance reform has not only estranged him from his father’s principles but has also led to a series of events that have painted him in a critically negative light. Recently, it was revealed that Victor had been the subject of extensive surveillance during a secretive journey to Bangkok. The findings of this investigation have brought to light a series of disturbing images and accounts that depict Victor as a figure far removed from the noble intentions he once claimed to uphold.

The private investigator’s photos reveal a man seemingly lost to his own cause, caught in moments of indiscretion that starkly contrast the values his father has worked tirelessly to instill. Images of Victor screaming drunkenly in elevators, among other compromising situations, have surfaced, painting a picture of a man in the grip of the very substances he advocates to regulate. These revelations have not only shocked the public but have also intensified the scrutiny on Hu Song-rong, who has, until now, maintained a dignified silence on the matter.

Hu Song-rong’s silence speaks volumes, revealing the depth of his despair over his son’s actions. Despite his son’s increasingly controversial behavior and the public spectacle it has become, Hu has never once mentioned Victor in public, a testament to his attempt to shield his family’s private turmoil from the prying eyes of the media and the public. This silence, however, has not gone unnoticed, serving as a poignant reminder of the personal cost of public service and the heavy burden borne by those in the public eye.

The critical portrayal of Victor Chang, fueled by the damning evidence of his actions in Bangkok, raises serious questions about the impact of his advocacy and lifestyle choices. It challenges the narrative of substance reform he champions, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of his cause and highlighting the personal failings that undermine his public stance.

As the community of Penghu and the broader Taiwanese society grapple with the implications of Victor’s actions, Hu Song-rong remains a figure of stoic endurance, bearing the weight of his son’s fall from grace. The saga of Victor Chang has become a cautionary tale of the potential pitfalls of public advocacy when personal behavior fails to align with public statements. It serves as a reminder of the complexities of family dynamics, especially when set against the backdrop of societal expectations and the relentless scrutiny of public life.

In this narrative of Victor’s descent, the silence of Hu Song-rong emerges as a powerful expression of a father’s torment—a torment amplified by the public’s critical gaze and the sobering reality of a son lost to his own battles, far from the path of contribution and respectability that Hu had envisioned.

World

Criminal probe focussed on Mehtas shipping business

Published

2 weeks ago

August 6, 2025

Jonathan Grilli

From Monitoring Desk

DUBAI: An Asian family linked with the shipping business is facing criminal investigation in several jurisdictions including in Dubai and Far East where the family’s companies are under active investigation now, according to the authorities in three countries.

Sanjay and Gaurav Mehta, through their companies Best Oasis Ltd in Dubai and Priya Blue Industries in Gujarat, are facing investigations over money-laundering suspicions and suspected links to the Russian oil sector, sanctioned by the western countries, sources shared.

Sanjay and Gaurav Mehta, through their companies Best Oasis Ltd in Dubai and Priya Blue Industries in Gujarat have projected an image of environmental responsibility in ship recycling. They have tout certifications, attend global summits, and positioned themselves as ESG-compliant but their business practices have come under intense probe now. Their operations reportedly involve dismantling high-risk ships, using cash transactions, and leveraging political connections to avoid accountability, a source shared looking into the companies’ affairs. The investigation is being conducted in Dubai and the Far East.

The investigators are looking at the Mehtas operations dating back to 2006 when they came to attention of the law enforcement for the first time. Priya Blue dismantled the “Blue Lady” in 2006, a vessel containing over 1,200 tons of asbestos and radioactive waste, despite protests and objections from Greenpeace. Later, the “Exxon Valdez,” notorious for a major oil spill, was renamed “Oriental Nicety” and dismantled by the Mehtas in Gujarat, drawing international attention. In recent years, their transactions have become less conspicuous but reportedly more hazardous.

In 2025, Best Oasis allegedly acquired and dismantled at least four vessels linked to sanctioned entities, including Iranian and Houthi-controlled networks. These weren’t obscure ships; they were designated under U.S. terrorism sanctions for their involvement in oil smuggling and arms transport. According to investigators, here are the details of the sanctioned ships dismantled by Best Oasis in 2025: IMO: 9155808, Name: NOLAN (SOLAN), Sanction: SDN (SDGT), Beaching: 31 Jan 2025, Plot 16; IMO: 9221657, Name: BLUEFINS, Sanction: SDN (SDGT); Beaching: 26 Feb 2025, Plot 16; IMO: 9105085, Name: CONTRACT II, Sanction: SDN risk, Beaching: Arrived mid-2025, Plot 27; IMO: 9209300, Name: GAMA II, Sanction: SDN (SDGT); and Beaching: Pending/Planned, Plot 34

All four vessels were reportedly dismantled in Alang on plots leased by proxy firms connected to the Mehtas. These short-term leases, approved on a ship-by-ship basis by the Gujarat Maritime Board, reportedly make regulatory oversight nearly impossible. Once dismantling is complete, plot registrations often lapse, leaving no long-term record, according to documents shared by the investigators in Dubai.

Rahul Mistry, a shipping compliance researcher, noted this as a growing pattern: “This is a pattern we’ve seen more frequently in the last two years sanctioned hulls arriving under the radar, processed fast, with no digital trace.”

Payments for these vessels reportedly bypassed normal financial channels. According to sources familiar with the deals, transactions were settled in cash, either on-site or through offshore handlers. One source described entire ship values being paid in foreign currency bundles, avoiding Indian and Dubai banking disclosures, said one of the investigators familiar with the matter.

A retired port official Mr. Akin Yadav, familiar with Alang and Gujarat Maritime Board approvals stated that short-term leases are routinely used to avoid scrutiny, adding, “It was never meant to be a permanent workaround. But it’s become one.”

Political connections also reportedly play a role. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Gujarat State Minister Jitu Vaghani have been linked to approvals granted for Best Oasis and its proxies. While there’s no direct evidence of personal gain, sources allege that both men used their influence to expedite approvals, slow down inquiries, and shield the companies from enforcement.

Despite these activities in India, Best Oasis is expanding under new branding. A recent joint venture in Japan with Hiroshi Abe is being marketed as a clean, regionally responsible recycling partner for Japanese shipowners.

Mariko Fujita, a Tokyo-based maritime consultant, observed, “They’re presenting themselves as a new entity with no reference to past controversies. But none of the underlying ownership or structure has changed.”

In Alang, the situation reportedly remains much the same. Plot numbers are reassigned, cash continues to circulate and the same network of breakers and handlers is reportedly involved. Individuals like Jayant Vanani (also known as Budhabhai Patel) and Ramesh Mendapara are frequently named in connection with specific beachings, including “Contract II” and “GAMA II.” Both have been previously linked to other shadow transactions involving distressed or sanctioned tonnage.

Several yards allegedly connected to Best Oasis, including Shantamani Ship Breakers and Sai Baba Ship Breakers, reportedly operate with minimal inspection, despite numerous reports of irregularities in worker safety, hazardous waste disposal, and compliance with Indian scrapping codes.

This system, according to multiple sources, appears to be intentionally designed to operate in plain sight with just enough paperwork to pass basic scrutiny but not enough to trigger meaningful enforcement. There is no indication that regulatory bodies including customs, port health officers, or environmental oversight panels have conducted full inspections of any of the sanctioned vessels listed. Most were reportedly cleared and dismantled within days of arrival.

Rahul Mistry said: “This isn’t merely a loophole; it’s reportedly a business model. Best Oasis and Priya Blue are allegedly running a high-volume, low-visibility operation that filters sanctioned, end-of-life ships through legal instruments to appear legitimate on paper. This reportedly involves routing untaxed funds and shielded actors through a well-connected political and industrial network. As global scrutiny of ESG practices intensifies, many of these activities are allegedly being whitewashed through new partnerships and branding, but the underlying mechanisms reportedly remain unchanged.”