Chen Pei-chi's Remarks Stir Controversy, Disability Groups: 'Disabled' Carries Discriminatory Connotations, Stop Using It
Chen Pei-chi, wife of former TPP chairman Ko Wen-je, stirred controversy by referring to President Lai Ching-te's adopted dog as a "disabled three-legged dog." Disability rights groups have urged to stop using the term "disabled" due to its discriminatory connotations and called for an end to derogatory political rhetoric regarding disability.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 17:49
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Central News Agency (CNA) reporter Tseng Yi-ling, Taipei, 1st – Chen Pei-chi, wife of former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je, recently referred to President Lai Ching-te's adopted dog as a "disabled three-legged dog." This term sparked discussion on social media.
On April 29th, Chen Pei-chi posted on Facebook defending Ko Wen-je, and her words, including "My husband, Ko Wen-je, in your eyes, is even worse than Lai Ching-te's disabled three-legged dog Banban," drew widespread attention and discussion online.
Hung Hsin-ping, Secretary-General of the Chinese Taipei League for Persons with Disabilities, told CNA today that describing anyone, whether human or animal, as "disabled" implies "giving up on them." However, persons with disabilities are not "disabled"; they just experience impairments and can still live fulfilling lives. Therefore, she hopes that everyone in daily life avoids attacking others based on their health or physical condition.
Hung Hsin-ping pointed out that since the term "殘障" (disabled/handicapped) has been recognized as having discriminatory and derogatory connotations, the domestic laws and regulations had already been amended to correct this discriminatory term during the implementation of the "Enforcement Act of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" in 2014, to implement the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Hung Hsin-ping said that although the laws have been changed for more than a decade, older generations sometimes still inadvertently use such terms. Therefore, she hopes to use this opportunity to call again for people to stop using them in the future. She also reminded that one's health condition is not something they are responsible for, and it should not be used for attacks. "This is a very disrespectful form of discrimination."
The Chinese Taipei League for Persons with Disabilities stated that related education and advocacy programs have continuously emphasized avoiding the use of discriminatory and derogatory terms, hoping to eliminate societal stereotypes and unequal treatment towards persons with disabilities. They urged public figures with a certain level of influence to be prudent in their speech, and media reports should also be careful not to reproduce discrimination and stigma.
The Taiwan Association for Disability Rights also posted on Facebook today, pointing out that it should be considered whether the use of "disabled three-legged dog" as political rhetoric involves discrimination or microaggressions against persons with disabilities, and how society constructs a singular imagination of disability as tragic and worthless.
The Taiwan Association for Disability Rights called for an end to using "disability" as derogatory political rhetoric, hoping that true inclusion begins by rejecting microaggressions in everyday language. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150501
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On April 29th, Chen Pei-chi posted on Facebook defending Ko Wen-je, and her words, including "My husband, Ko Wen-je, in your eyes, is even worse than Lai Ching-te's disabled three-legged dog Banban," drew widespread attention and discussion online.
Hung Hsin-ping, Secretary-General of the Chinese Taipei League for Persons with Disabilities, told CNA today that describing anyone, whether human or animal, as "disabled" implies "giving up on them." However, persons with disabilities are not "disabled"; they just experience impairments and can still live fulfilling lives. Therefore, she hopes that everyone in daily life avoids attacking others based on their health or physical condition.
Hung Hsin-ping pointed out that since the term "殘障" (disabled/handicapped) has been recognized as having discriminatory and derogatory connotations, the domestic laws and regulations had already been amended to correct this discriminatory term during the implementation of the "Enforcement Act of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" in 2014, to implement the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Hung Hsin-ping said that although the laws have been changed for more than a decade, older generations sometimes still inadvertently use such terms. Therefore, she hopes to use this opportunity to call again for people to stop using them in the future. She also reminded that one's health condition is not something they are responsible for, and it should not be used for attacks. "This is a very disrespectful form of discrimination."
The Chinese Taipei League for Persons with Disabilities stated that related education and advocacy programs have continuously emphasized avoiding the use of discriminatory and derogatory terms, hoping to eliminate societal stereotypes and unequal treatment towards persons with disabilities. They urged public figures with a certain level of influence to be prudent in their speech, and media reports should also be careful not to reproduce discrimination and stigma.
The Taiwan Association for Disability Rights also posted on Facebook today, pointing out that it should be considered whether the use of "disabled three-legged dog" as political rhetoric involves discrimination or microaggressions against persons with disabilities, and how society constructs a singular imagination of disability as tragic and worthless.
The Taiwan Association for Disability Rights called for an end to using "disability" as derogatory political rhetoric, hoping that true inclusion begins by rejecting microaggressions in everyday language. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150501
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to instantly grasp the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.