“The Republic of China flag is not equal to the Republic of China,” Chen said during a meeting with lawmakers in response to a prominent pro-independence activist’s remarks that the national flag disgusted her.

Making a distinction between the country itself and the symbols standing for it, the top presidential aide said the national flag and official title could be changed if necessary.

His remarks caused lawmakers from the Kuomintang to pound their desks furiously while calling him a “traitor.”

“As the secretary general of the Presidential Office, how do you dare to make such remarks? Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” said Legislator Hung Hsiu-chu, who also accused Chen of being a communist spy.

But Chen explained that he meant to say that the flag and title only “represent” the country, but “are not equal” to the country itself.

He suggested that the pro-independence activist, Chin Mei-ling, might have found the national flag disgusting because of its resemblance to the KMT emblem.

The party emblem, a radiant white sun on a blue background, forms the key part of the national flag.

During the meeting, Chen also irked KMT lawmakers by objecting to what he called their “communist style” proposal to cut payments for presidential advisers.

In a proposal to cut back government expenses, the KMT deputies sought to make all presidential advisory posts into honorary jobs, because those advisers hardly need the salaries.

But Chen, an economics scholar-turned-official, objected, saying the lawmakers were introducing “communism,” in which the highest ideal is to “let everyone take what he needs.”

“Someone works for the government. But the government’s decision to pay him is based on whether he needs the salary. This is no different from the communist system. I cannot accept this (system),” said Chen.

He described the lawmakers’ proposal as “ridiculous” and “unreasonable,” likening it to an attempt by a private company to fire its manager in order to hire more salesmen.

The KMT lawmakers later demanded that Chen be replaced.

“He seldom comes to the Legislative Yuan. Today he showed up and dared to call us ‘ridiculous,’ ‘unreasonable’ and ‘communists.’ His speeches have crossed the line,” said Hung at a press conference held after the meeting.

KMT Legislator Chu Fong-chi accused Chen, a “mainlander,” of “trading off his ancestral roots for offices.”

Chen later responded by saying that his remarks should not be taken out of context.