Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator John Chang (章孝嚴), an illegitimate son of former president Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國), confirmed yesterday that he will officially begin using the surname Chiang to "reflect the truth."
Chang confirmed that the process of changing his name had been completed. He applied for the name change with the Ministry of the Interior in May 2002.
From yesterday, Chang said, he would be known as John Chiang, which appears on his new identification card.
"My three adult children support my decision, and they will also follow suit by changing their surname soon," Chiang said.
Speaking to reporters at the Legislative Yuan, Chiang -- who along with his twin brother Winston Chang were born in Guilin in Guangxi Province in 1941 to Chiang Ching-kuo and Chang Ya-juo (章亞若) -- said his name change was a family affair.
"I made the decision after extensive discussions with members of my immediate family and relatives. The change represents a respect for history, a return to the facts, and a realization of my parents' wishes," Chiang said.
Chiang, a former minister of foreign affairs and KMT secretary-general, said that it is no longer a secret that Chiang Ching-kuo is his natural father.
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