Chiang Wan-an waives subsidy over son’s exchange selection
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said on September 2 that his family will not take the education subsidy tied to his son’s selection for Taipei’s international exchange student programme, after the case drew criticism over possible privilege and his son’s US nationality. The Taipei Department of Education said the programme’s rules are public and transparent, that all eligible Taipei students can apply, and that there was no special treatment or rule change for any individual.
Key Points
- Chiang’s son, Chiang Te-li (蔣得立), was selected for the Taipei Department of Education’s international exchange student learning programme and is set to suspend school for one year to study in the United States.
- Public information cited by local media says selected students may go to the United States or Canada for a year, then return to Taiwan to complete senior secondary school studies
- The programme offers subsidies of NT$700,000 for economically disadvantaged students, about HK$175,000, while general-category students receive a smaller subsidy
- Chiang confirmed on September 1 that his son holds US nationality because he was born in the United States when Chiang’s wife was there for work, and said the application followed the rules and selection process.
- The education bureau said on September 2 that this year’s programme brochure is identical to last year’s, there has never been a nationality restriction in 15 years, and disadvantaged students’ places were not squeezed out
Why It Matters
The dispute has moved beyond one student’s exchange placement to questions about conflict of interest, equal access to public resources and whether officials’ family members should avoid even the appearance of preferential treatment. For Hong Kong readers, the case is a reminder that education subsidies and overseas exchange schemes can quickly become political issues when transparency, eligibility and public trust are tested.