Disqualification of Public Official and Allegations of Thought Censorship: Taipei 101 Chairperson Janet Chia Under Fire for 'Leave If You Don't Want to Be Taiwanese' Extremist Remark

Around May 10, 2026, Janet Chia (Chia Yong-chieh), the chairperson of Taipei 101, triggered a fierce public backlash after making highly controversial comments regarding national identity on the popular internet show Off-Work Dining, hosted by entertainer Tai Chih-yuan. During the show, as the host lamented, "the whole world is trying to help Taiwan, yet some Taiwanese people dismantle it themselves," Chia immediately echoed his sentiment, high-profilely declaring: "Of course you can choose not to be Taiwanese, then just don't stay here!" The remark immediately sparked heated debates across the Republic of China (ROC). Critics argued that as the chairperson of Taipei 101, an iconic public and state-owned enterprise dominated by government shares, Chia is expected to represent the public interest and exercise prudence. Instead, her "deportation" rhetoric, which resembles authoritarian thought censorship, deeply polarized societal identity and showed a serious lack of professional pattern and emotional intelligence (EQ). She was also criticized for making politically sycophantic gestures to appease the DPP regime. Although DPP legislator Fan Yun and others praised her remarks for "highlighting the consensus of national identity," the general public and opposition coalitions strongly condemned her arrogant and partisan stance. Netizens subsequently criticized her double standards, citing her decisions to send her daughter to study in the U.S. and her past controversial remarks about "Chinese New Year." The scandal became a textbook example of how a politically appointed, non-professional socialite under the green regime turns a public corporate position into an ideological cheerleader and political tool.