Chiang Wan-an responds to "Chinese Taipei" banner controversy

Sep 15, 2026

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has been drawn into a controversy over the use of the term "Chinese Taipei." He hit back by saying it is Taiwan's official membership name at APEC, and accused his opponents of attacking his family for electoral gain.

  • South Korean girl group IVE performed at the Taipei Arena, and a fan support banner outside the venue reading "Chinese Taipei" sparked controversy; internet users then dug up past remarks in which Chiang Wan-an's wife also used the term.
  • Chiang Wan-an said Chinese Taipei is Taiwan's official membership name at APEC, that his wife was attending an official APEC event at the time, and that she also said in English, "I am Taiwanese."
  • He stressed that the Executive Yuan issued a press release at the time affirming this, and that officials taking part in APEC this year are likewise using the same name, so using the matter to attack his family distorts the facts.
  • Asked about criticism that the "grand opposition alliance" has appropriated a slogan from the democracy movement, Chiang Wan-an countered: if the central government were really governing well, why would the opposition need to join forces?
  • He also inspected the pedestrian-friendly zone in the NTNU neighbourhood, noting that there are now nearly 1,800 YouBike stations and that usage is expected to top 500 million trips by the end of September.

Outlook: With the election campaign heating up, the war of words over naming and identity is expected to continue.

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