Chen Pei-chi's China visit confirmed; Ko Wen-je dismisses concerns

Chen Pei-chi, the wife of former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je, has confirmed her recent trip to mainland China, a visit that sparked considerable discussion after photos of her at a Beijing airport circulated online. Chen stated on social media that she spent a week traveling in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Beijing, using her personal savings from her work.

The confirmation followed online speculation, with some questioning how she could travel if her accounts were frozen. Chen expressed frustration with the scrutiny, asking why a private citizen could not visit Beijing. She criticized what she perceived as a double standard, where Taiwanese people visiting the mainland are judged by certain political factions.

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What's wrong? Why can't an ordinary citizen go to Beijing for tourism? Do the 'Bluebirds' and the green camp think Taiwanese people are guilty for going to Beijing?

When asked about his wife's trip, Ko Wen-je, the former Taipei mayor, responded with apparent indifference. He stated that he had no time to concern himself with her affairs, adding that their son had accompanied her on the trip. His dismissive reaction drew further attention to the matter.

Chen's visit and the subsequent reactions highlight ongoing sensitivities surrounding cross-strait relations and the political implications of travel between Taiwan and mainland China. Her assertion of her right to travel as a private citizen using her own funds underscores a desire to separate personal activities from political discourse.

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I have no time to manage her. My son took her abroad.