Sixty-one years after his birth, KMT Legislator John Chang (章孝嚴) is finally able to tell the world who his real father is, loud and clear.
With his wife Helen Huang
"It is their wish that I be included in the family's official record of lineage," he said, his shaking hand holding the ID.
"I believe they share my joy and pride in heaven at this very moment," he said.
Born out of wedlock, Chang and his twin brother Winston
Before authorities issued Chang the new ID Thursday, his maternal uncle Chang Hau-juo
"I will continue to use my last name in commemoration of my mother who died soon after I was born," the lawmaker said, sobbing.
John Chang's parents met in Jiangxi Province where Chiang, already married, acted as a military instructor.
Over the years, some have attributed Chang Ya-juo's early death to foul play.
Though he would not openly admit it, John Chang apparently feels ambivalent toward the Chiang family, whose surviving members to this day refuse to recognize him as kin.
Because of their illegitimate status, the twin Chang brothers did not enjoy the same comfort and luxury afforded the Chiang clan when their father and grandfather, Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), ruled Taiwan.
"My heart grew heavy every time when people asked me who my parents were," Chang said. "Now I can speak their names out loud."
It was not an easy task to redress the lawmaker's longstanding regret, however.
To prove that Chi was not his birth mother, he flew to the US last year to collect hair samples from his aunt for a DNA test.
Earlier, Chang had secured a written declaration from Chi's two sons in China saying that Chang was not their brother, but had been raised by Chi following the death of his own mother.
Retired general Wang Sheng (王昇), who helped support the twin brothers at the request of Chiang Ching-kuo, also supplied a written document to vouch for the father-son relationship between Chiang and the brothers.
In addition, Chang was able to get his birth documents from the hospital in Guangxi Province where he was born.
"I will tell Chiang ancestors of my identity when I visit the Chiang shrine in Zehjiang Province next Tomb Sweeping Day," he said.
After the Communist Party rose to power in China, seven-year-old Chang and his brother came to Taiwan with their maternal uncle and grandmother.
The family settled in Hsinchu County, where the twin brothers completed high school.
Despite his distinguished political career, Chang has sought unsuccessfully to meet with Mayling Soong (宋美齡), Chiang Kai-shek's widow.
Before winning a legislative seat last year, he worked as a foreign minister, vice premier, KMT secretary-general and presidential secretary-general.
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
Democratic Progressive Party caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu, front, grabs the pennant in a dragon boat race hosted by Qu Yuan Temple in the Shuanghsi River in Taipei’s Beitou District yesterday.