Debate Grows Over Taipei Mayor’s Dual-Nationality Son Receiving Exchange Funding, Education Department Cites Precedent

Questions have emerged over why Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's eldest son received public funding for an exchange program despite holding dual nationality.

Chiang De-li qualified for the Taipei Education Department's international exchange student program and was set to receive support for one year of study in the United States or Canada. Critics questioned both the mayor's potential conflict of interest and whether his son's U.S. nationality fit the program's purpose.

The Education Department said the rules are public and transparent. Any Taipei student who meets the requirements for school enrollment, academic performance, and English ability can apply, it said. The program has never imposed a nationality restriction, and several dual-nationality students qualified this year. The department added that dual-nationality students had also participated in previous years.

Whether a student needs a visa depends on the rules of the destination country. Students who already have entry eligibility do not need to apply separately for a student visa, the department said.

Officials also stressed that the Taipei exchange program is not the same as the Education Ministry's publicly funded overseas study scheme. The two programs have different responsible authorities, and the department said Chiang De-li's selection followed the relevant rules and procedures without unfair treatment.