TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Palace Museum Director Hsiao Tsung-huang (蕭宗煌) said Wednesday the museum is seeking outside funding to maintain operations after facing significant budget cuts this year.

DPP Legislator Lin I-chin (林宜瑾) raised concerns over the slashing of NT$10.3 million (US$320,000) from the museum’s utility budget and more than NT$5 million from its publicity budget, per CNA. Hsiao said the museum now has to divert funding from its educational outreach programs to cover basic utility costs.

Advertising for exhibitions, including a major collaboration with New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, is particularly affected. International engagement has also taken a hit. Hsiao noted that overseas travel for research purposes has been suspended until further funding is secured.

While outreach efforts have been scaled back, Hsiao emphasized that core preservation work for artifacts remains unaffected, per ETtoday. He noted that over 20% of the museum’s budget is currently frozen and warned that without legislative action to unfreeze it, operations could suffer further.

The museum has submitted proposals to the Legislative Yuan requesting that the frozen funds be released. Lin called on legislators from all parties to support the museum's request.

During a legislative questioning session, Hsiao was also asked about contingency plans in the event of a power outage, referencing recent blackouts in Spain and Portugal, per UDN. He responded that the National Palace Museum has a backup diesel generator and fuel tank capable of sustaining operations for up to 22 hours. Weekly tests are conducted, and a nearby gas station allows for quick refueling if needed.

Hsiao addressed the long-term decline in visitor numbers, per China Times. While the museum attracted 6 million visitors in 2016, with nearly half coming from China and Hong Kong, that number dropped to just under 3 million in 2024.

Hsiao acknowledged a sharp decrease in Chinese and Hong Kong visitors, declining to 50,000 in 2024. He said the museum plans to recruit more Korean-speaking guides, as South Korean tourists now make up a larger share of visitors.

Although the museum’s northern branch continues to see a drop in attendance, the southern branch has experienced an increase compared to last year, thanks to ongoing exhibitions. Hsiao reaffirmed the museum's commitment to attracting more visitors ahead of its 100th-anniversary celebrations this year.