TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said Wednesday that his family will give up a subsidy after his son’s selection for a city-funded exchange program drew scrutiny over his US citizenship.
CNA reported that Taipei councilors questioned whether Chiang’s son, who holds both Taiwan and US citizenship, should receive public funding for the program. They also raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest because Chiang heads the city government.
Chiang confirmed that his eldest son holds US citizenship and applied for the exchange program. He said the application was his son’s decision and that the teenager completed the same registration and selection process as other applicants.
The education department said the program does not restrict applicants based on nationality. Students enrolled in Taipei schools may apply if they meet academic, English-language, and other eligibility requirements, per Liberty Times.
The department said several students selected this year also hold dual citizenship, while students with dual nationality have participated in previous years. It said no applicant has been excluded because of nationality or family background.
Officials said the city exchange program is separate from the education ministry’s publicly funded overseas study program. The two programs are administered by different authorities and operate under separate rules.
The department said Chiang’s son was selected under the same rules as other applicants and received no special treatment. It added that visa requirements vary by destination, and students who already have the right to enter a country may not need a separate student visa, per SETN News.
Chiang said his son is a Taiwan citizen who attended elementary and junior high school in Taipei and took the junior high school entrance examination. He said the teenager met all eligibility requirements for the program.
Chiang said he was proud that his son had been accepted through his own efforts. However, after discussing the matter with his wife and son, the family decided to give up the subsidy provided by the education department.
The mayor said politicians should expect strict public scrutiny and that he was willing to answer questions about the case. However, he said his son should not have to give up an opportunity to pursue his own plans simply because his father is the Taipei mayor.
