Deputy Directors Unwilling to Be Stationed in Southern Branch? Hsiao: Organizational Law Designates Southern Branch Chief

By Central News Agency reporter Lin Ching-yin, Taipei, June 17

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Lin Yi-chin today cited content from the book 'Palace Museum 100 Stories,' stating that neither of the two deputy directors of the National Palace Museum is willing to be permanently stationed at the Southern Branch. Director Hsiao Chung-huang responded that the published interview content 'does not entirely align' with his original statements. According to the museum's organizational law, the Southern Branch is headed by a branch division chief. Although the establishment of a southern branch office was previously discussed, it was ultimately decided against.

This afternoon, the Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee reviewed the 2026 (Fiscal Year 115) central government budget proposal, specifically examining the National Palace Museum's unit budget. During questioning, Lin Yi-chin referenced a section from Japanese journalist Nojima Takeshi's book 'Palace Museum 100 Stories,' which focused on an interview regarding whether a deputy director should be assigned to the Southern Branch. Hsiao was quoted as saying one deputy director should remain at the Southern Branch, while it was also reported that both deputy directors were unwilling to be stationed there permanently.

Lin pointed out that Hsiao's public remarks highlighted three governance issues within the museum: the director's will not being implemented, deputy directors refusing to follow orders, and long-term staff resistance to working at the Southern Branch.

In response, Huang Li-ting, Director of the Museum's Personnel Office, explained that the Southern Branch is a first-tier unit organizationally, with its highest-ranking official being the Southern Branch Division Chief, who has long been based at the Southern Branch.

Hsiao emphasized that Nojima Takeshi, a Japanese journalist fluent in Chinese, conducted extensive interviews, but the notes were taken in Japanese and later translated into Chinese. Since Hsiao cannot directly converse in Japanese like former directors Wu Mi-cha and Lin Man-li, translation discrepancies occurred due to shorthand note-taking, resulting in content that 'does not entirely match' his original expressions.

Hsiao clarified that he never instructed either deputy director to be stationed at the Southern Branch. Instead, he questioned whether organizational regulations required a permanently stationed deputy director. He added that permanent stationing involves considerations of housing, lifestyle, and personal willingness, and that reducing it to 'both deputy directors are unwilling' oversimplifies the matter.

Hsiao publicly denied claims that deputy directors refused to follow his orders, that his leadership is ineffective, or that his directives cannot be executed, stating, 'This is not the case.'

According to Hsiao, the Southern Branch Division is classified as an internal unit under the organizational law. While there was discussion about transforming the Southern Branch into a detached office—effectively a southern branch office—that would have a branch director, the decision was ultimately made not to proceed. The museum's two deputy directors—one overseeing administration and engineering, the other academic affairs—help balance operations between the northern and southern sites. The museum's administrative meetings are held twice a year at the Southern Branch, aiming to address regional imbalances through practical operations. (Edited by Lin Ko-lun) 1150617