Hsiao Tsung-huang (蕭宗煌), the new director of the National Palace Museum, said he doesn’t think the museum should be placed under the Ministry of Culture’s oversight.
On Monday, the legislature’s Education and Culture Committee invited Hsiao to report on the museum's operations and answer questions from lawmakers. Lawmakers were interested in Hsiao's position on whether the museum should remain under the Executive Yuan or be placed under the Ministry of Culture. Putting it under the culture ministry would be considered a downgrade in status.
Hsiao said that the museum's management falls under the Tsai Ing-wen administration. Any reforms related to operational procedures are the responsibility of the Executive Yuan. As for the museum's legal status and organizational structure, it must go through a legal process that involves gathering public opinion and obtaining approval from the legislature.
Hsiao said he does not believe placing the National Palace Museum under the Ministry of Culture is the best option. He mentioned that a study commissioned by the museum evaluated different options for its positioning. These options include maintaining the current status, transferring to the Ministry of Culture or the Presidential Office, or privatization. The study listed the pros and cons of each option. Hsiao said the discussion is still ongoing.