Taipei Mayor Says Son’s Scout Exam Was Difficult Despite Passing on Retake

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said his eldest son, Chiang Te-li, told him that completing the Scout high-level exam had been difficult. The boy passed after taking part in later retesting stages, amid public attention over his receiving the mayor’s award.

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For every child who can persist and complete the high-level exam, we should give them support and encouragement.

Chiang said most participants do not pass the first stage on their first attempt. He argued that the rules allow candidates to continue through subsequent tests and that every child who completes the demanding process should receive support and encouragement.

The mayor also addressed criticism of his son’s publicly funded international exchange placement. Chiang said the program considers school enrollment, not nationality. He referred to online inquiries sent to the U.S. institution involved as evidence that the placement followed the rules.

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The process of the Scout high-level exam is indeed very difficult.

Responding to criticism from Lin Chih-yun, the daughter of former National Taiwan University Hospital president Lin Fang-yu, Chiang said he respected her comments. He repeated that he and his family would follow the regulations and receive no special treatment.

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The international exchange student program looks only at school enrollment, not nationality.