Taiwan Legislative Yuan cuts Ministry of Culture media budget

The Taiwan Legislative Yuan has passed the 115 fiscal year central government budget, which includes the total removal of 47.38 million TWD in media promotion fees for the Ministry of Culture. This decision has sparked significant backlash from the cultural sector. Artist Liang Yun-fei warned that cutting these funds threatens the entire creative industry, including designers, actors, and directors, stating that “culture will naturally die bit by bit” if resources for international promotion and visibility are withdrawn.

Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling, who supported the cuts, defended the move as part of rigorous budget scrutiny. In response to criticisms regarding her identity, Weng stated she is “a proud Chinese person” in terms of cultural and bloodline heritage, while maintaining her role as a Republic of China legislator. Deputy Minister of Mainland Affairs Liang Wen-jie expressed support for Liang Yun-fei’s social media posts regarding the budget impact.

In other regional developments, Kaohsiung City announced high-level personnel adjustments to ensure administrative continuity, while Miaoli County partnered with the Shin Kong Life Insurance Charity Foundation to bring art therapy to children with disabilities. Additionally, Chiayi City reported that its average per capita disposable income has reached a record high for the seventh consecutive year, ranking fifth in Taiwan.