Chen Chi-mai
Encyclopedia
Chen Chi-mai is a Taiwan
ese politician, currently the spokesperson of the Democratic Progressive Party
and the Chief executive officer of the Democratic Progressive Party
Policy Research and Coordinating Committee. A physician from Keelung
, Chen started his political career by becoming member of the Legislative Yuan
in 1996 and served as legislator for almost eight years.
In 2005, Chen succeeded to the mayoralty of Kaohsiung
after then-mayor Frank Hsieh
's appointment as premier. Chen became the Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office in 2007 and served until the inauguration of President Ma Ying-jeou
.
Chen studied medicine at the Chung Shan Medical University
in Taichung
, where he earned his MB degree
in 1991. He got his MS degree in preventive medicine
at the National Taiwan University
in 1994. He practiced medicine at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (長庚紀念醫院) for about three years and became a lecturer
at the Taipei Medical University
in 1996.
Chen made his early entry into public affairs
when he, as a student, served as an assistant
to his father, a legislator at the time.
(DPP), Chen was elected legislator three times serving from 1996 to 2004. During his term, he became the secretary-general of the Justice Alliance faction
of the DPP in 1998 and the legislative caucus leader in 1999. He also became members of various committees within the Legislative Yuan
, including the Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, National Defense, and Transportation Committees.
Before the DPP became the ruling party, Chen suggested that then-incumbent magistrate of Taoyuan County Annette Lu
would be a better choice for Chen Shui-bian
's presidential running mate than any other party member. Lu was eventually selected as his running mate.
After Shui-bian's successful presidential campaign, Chen Chi-mai, as a leader of the Justice Alliance faction, supported the proposal of another member to revise the pro-independence
guideline. Although many party members had similar views, the proposal was sent back to the party's policy research department for review.
In 2004, Chen was appointed a Minister without Portfolio
and spokesperson of the Executive Yuan
. Soon after, another proposal to modify pro-independence guidelines was created. Several DPP legislators believed that the change of the national title from "Republic of China
" to "Taiwan," which is one of the ultimate goals of Taiwan's desinicization campaign and localization movement
, was not necessary. Chen also supported the proposal. The proposal was documented in an essay called New Culture Discourse, drafted by DPP legislator Lee Wen-chung of the New Tide faction
. After the essay was leaked to the media
, many politicians, including Chen, denied being involved in drafting the document. The document was proved too controversial and was attacked within the party as a result, although some members believed that it was only based on the 1999 Resolution on Taiwan's Future
.
In January 2005, following the death of former CCP General Secretary
, Zhao Ziyang
, Chen represented the Taiwanese cabinet in delivering a message to the Chinese government. In his address, Chen urged China's leaders to pursue democratization. Chen stated that Beijing should "face the truth about Tiananmen Square
... We urge the Chinese government to learn from Mr. Zhao's tolerance and to push for democratic reforms."
Later in January 2005, Chen Chi-mai was nominated to serve as acting mayor of Kaohsiung
by premier-designate Frank Hsieh
.
(KMRT), a major construction started during Frank Hsieh
's mayoral term. The Red Line
of the system is opened, and the Orange Line
is scheduled to be opened in August 2008.
Chen also worked to turn Kaohsiung into the a film location hub by encouraging filmmakers to shoot their films in the port city. He offered filmmakers, such as Tsai Ming-liang
, various incentives for their award-winning films. He presented a NT$10 million (approx. US$323 thousand) prize to Tsai for his film The Wayward Cloud
. Tsai in returned said he will soon shoot a new film in Kaohsiung and praised the city's efforts to develop Kaohsiung into an international city
.
On July 25, 2005, Kaohsiung officially became the host city of World Games 2009
, which will be the largest international sports event hosted in Taiwan, after Chen received the flag of the World Games
. Chen later announced the construction of a world-class stadium built for the event.
In August 2005, Thai
workers rioted over the draconian treatment they received as foreign worker
s. These workers lived in poor conditions and had limited freedom. The Chen administration vowed to take action on August 25. Chen apologized to the public for the social turmoil caused by the incident and offered to resign three times. Then-premier Frank Hsieh
authorized Chen's resignation on September 12, and replaced him with former vice premier Yeh Chu-lan
.
in England, Chen was appointed the Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office in February 2007. His appointment drew mixed reactions, with the support from the DPP legislative caucus and opposition from the Kuomintang
legislative caucus. Chen served with Lin Chia-lung
, former director of the Government Information Office
.
After the DPP chairmanship election
in May 2008, chairwoman-elect Tsai Ing-wen
announced the appointment of Chen as the Deputy Secretary-General of the party, serving with Cho Jung-tai until 2009. Now,Chen was the spokesperson of the Democratic Progressive Party
and the Chief executive officer of the Democratic Progressive Party
Policy Research and Coordinating Committee since May 2011.
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
ese politician, currently the spokesperson of the Democratic Progressive Party
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
and the Chief executive officer of the Democratic Progressive Party
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
Policy Research and Coordinating Committee. A physician from Keelung
Keelung
Keelung City is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. It borders New Taipei and forms the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area, along with the Taipei and New Taipei. Nicknamed the Rainy Port for its frequent rain and maritime role, the city is Taiwan's second largest seaport...
, Chen started his political career by becoming member of the Legislative Yuan
Legislative Yuan
The Legislative Yuan is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of China .The Legislative Yuan is one of the five branches of government stipulated by the Constitution of the Republic of China, which follows Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People...
in 1996 and served as legislator for almost eight years.
In 2005, Chen succeeded to the mayoralty of Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
after then-mayor Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh Chang-ting is a Taiwanese politician of the Democratic Progressive Party in the Republic of China. He was the mayor of Kaohsiung City until his appointment as President of the Executive Yuan by president Chen Shui-bian on February 1, 2005. He announced his resignation from the post of...
's appointment as premier. Chen became the Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office in 2007 and served until the inauguration of President Ma Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou is the 12th term and current President of the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, and the Chairman of the Kuomintang Party, also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party. He formerly served as Justice Minister from 1993 to 1996, Mayor of Taipei from 1998 to 2006, and Chairman...
.
Early life
Chen Chi-mai was born in Keelung City, Taiwan, on December 23, 1964. He is the son of Chen Che-nan, who is also a politician and was also a Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office before Chen took office in 2007.Chen studied medicine at the Chung Shan Medical University
Chung Shan Medical University
Chung Shan Medical University is a medical university, located in Taichung City, Taiwan. It is close to the Daqing railway station.- Campus :...
in Taichung
Taichung
-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
, where he earned his MB degree
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, or in Latin Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae , are the two first professional degrees awarded upon graduation from medical school in medicine and surgery by universities in various countries...
in 1991. He got his MS degree in preventive medicine
Preventive medicine
Preventive medicine or preventive care refers to measures taken to prevent diseases, rather than curing them or treating their symptoms...
at the National Taiwan University
National Taiwan University
National Taiwan University is a national co-educational university located in Taipei, Republic of China . In Taiwan, it is colloquially known as "Táidà" . Its main campus is set upon 1,086,167 square meters in Taipei's Da'an District. In addition, the university has 6 other campuses in Taiwan,...
in 1994. He practiced medicine at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (長庚紀念醫院) for about three years and became a lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
at the Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University was founded as Taipei Medical College in 1960. It was renamed as Taipei Medical University in 2000. Its campus is in Wuxing Street, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan...
in 1996.
Chen made his early entry into public affairs
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
when he, as a student, served as an assistant
Personal assistant
A personal assistant or personal aide is someone who assists in daily business or personal tasks. It is common in design to have a PDA, or personal design assistant....
to his father, a legislator at the time.
Rise in politics
A member of the Democratic Progressive PartyDemocratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
(DPP), Chen was elected legislator three times serving from 1996 to 2004. During his term, he became the secretary-general of the Justice Alliance faction
Justice Alliance faction
The Justice Alliance was one of the largest factions of the Democratic Progressive Party.- Members :Before its dissolution, its members included:* Chen Shui-bian, incumbent president of Taiwan.* Hsu Tain-tsair, incumbent mayor of Tainan City....
of the DPP in 1998 and the legislative caucus leader in 1999. He also became members of various committees within the Legislative Yuan
Legislative Yuan
The Legislative Yuan is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of China .The Legislative Yuan is one of the five branches of government stipulated by the Constitution of the Republic of China, which follows Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People...
, including the Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, National Defense, and Transportation Committees.
Before the DPP became the ruling party, Chen suggested that then-incumbent magistrate of Taoyuan County Annette Lu
Annette Lu
Annette Lu Hsiu-lien , was the Vice President of the Republic of China from 2000 to 2008, under Chen Shui-bian. She announced her intentions to run for President of Taiwan on March 6, 2007, but withdrew in order to support DPP presidential nominee, Frank Hsieh...
would be a better choice for Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian is a former Taiwanese politician who was the 10th and 11th-term President of the Republic of China from 2000 to 2008. Chen, whose Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally been supportive of Taiwan independence, ended more than fifty years of Kuomintang rule in Taiwan...
's presidential running mate than any other party member. Lu was eventually selected as his running mate.
After Shui-bian's successful presidential campaign, Chen Chi-mai, as a leader of the Justice Alliance faction, supported the proposal of another member to revise the pro-independence
Taiwan independence
Taiwan independence is a political movement whose goals are primarily to formally establish the Republic of Taiwan by renaming or replacing the Republic of China , form a Taiwanese national identity, reject unification and One country, two systems with the People's Republic of China and a Chinese...
guideline. Although many party members had similar views, the proposal was sent back to the party's policy research department for review.
In 2004, Chen was appointed a Minister without Portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
and spokesperson of the Executive Yuan
Executive Yuan
The Executive Yuan is the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China , commonly known as "Taiwan".-Organization and structure:...
. Soon after, another proposal to modify pro-independence guidelines was created. Several DPP legislators believed that the change of the national title from "Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
" to "Taiwan," which is one of the ultimate goals of Taiwan's desinicization campaign and localization movement
Taiwanese localization movement
Taiwanization , also known as the Taiwanese localization movement, is a political term used in Taiwan to emphasize the importance of a separate Taiwanese culture rather than to regard Taiwan as solely an appendage of China...
, was not necessary. Chen also supported the proposal. The proposal was documented in an essay called New Culture Discourse, drafted by DPP legislator Lee Wen-chung of the New Tide faction
New Tide faction
The New Tide faction was one of the factions of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan before the party voted to dissolve all factions in 2006. The faction initially advocated social democracy, attempting to work with other labor and social movements to influence public policy...
. After the essay was leaked to the media
Media in Taiwan
The media in Taiwan is considered to be one of the freest and most competitive in Asia. Cable TV usage is high and there is also a wide selection of newspapers available covering most political viewpoints.-Cable television:...
, many politicians, including Chen, denied being involved in drafting the document. The document was proved too controversial and was attacked within the party as a result, although some members believed that it was only based on the 1999 Resolution on Taiwan's Future
Resolution on Taiwan's Future
The Resolution on Taiwan's Future is a document ratified by the Democratic Progressive Party during its eighth annual national assembly on May 7-8, 1999 in the southern port-city of Kaohsiung...
.
In January 2005, following the death of former CCP General Secretary
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China
The General Secretary of the Communist Party of China , officially General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, is the highest ranking official within the Communist Party of China, a standing member of the Politburo and head of the Secretariat...
, Zhao Ziyang
Zhao Ziyang
Zhao Ziyang was a high-ranking politician in the People's Republic of China . He was the third Premier of the People's Republic of China from 1980 to 1987, and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1987 to 1989....
, Chen represented the Taiwanese cabinet in delivering a message to the Chinese government. In his address, Chen urged China's leaders to pursue democratization. Chen stated that Beijing should "face the truth about Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square protests
Tiananmen Square in Beijing has been the central point for several major historical protests, with their most commonly referred to Chinese name in parentheses....
... We urge the Chinese government to learn from Mr. Zhao's tolerance and to push for democratic reforms."
Later in January 2005, Chen Chi-mai was nominated to serve as acting mayor of Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
by premier-designate Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh Chang-ting is a Taiwanese politician of the Democratic Progressive Party in the Republic of China. He was the mayor of Kaohsiung City until his appointment as President of the Executive Yuan by president Chen Shui-bian on February 1, 2005. He announced his resignation from the post of...
.
Mayoralty
After becoming the mayor of Kaohsiung, Chen sought to continue construction of the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid TransitKaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit
The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System is a rapid transit system covering metropolitan Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Construction of the KMRT started in October 2001. The Red Line and the Orange Line opened on March 9 and September 14, 2008, respectively...
(KMRT), a major construction started during Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh Chang-ting is a Taiwanese politician of the Democratic Progressive Party in the Republic of China. He was the mayor of Kaohsiung City until his appointment as President of the Executive Yuan by president Chen Shui-bian on February 1, 2005. He announced his resignation from the post of...
's mayoral term. The Red Line
Red Line, KMRT
The Red Line is the north-south mass transit line of the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It is the first mass transit line built in southern Taiwan, started construction on October 24, 2001 and opened for service on March 9, 2008 with a month-long free ride service to April...
of the system is opened, and the Orange Line
Orange Line, KMRT
The Orange Line is an East-West line of the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It opened on September 14, 2008, the day of Mid-Autumn Festival, for a week-long free trial service...
is scheduled to be opened in August 2008.
Chen also worked to turn Kaohsiung into the a film location hub by encouraging filmmakers to shoot their films in the port city. He offered filmmakers, such as Tsai Ming-liang
Tsai Ming-liang
Tsai Ming-liang is one of the most celebrated "Second New Wave" film directors of Taiwanese Cinema, along with earlier contemporaries such as Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Edward Yang...
, various incentives for their award-winning films. He presented a NT$10 million (approx. US$323 thousand) prize to Tsai for his film The Wayward Cloud
The Wayward Cloud
The Wayward Cloud is a 2005 film directed by Tsai Ming-liang. The cast includes Lee Kang-sheng and Chen Shiang-chyi. The film was Taiwan's official entry for the 78th Academy Awards in the foreign-language category...
. Tsai in returned said he will soon shoot a new film in Kaohsiung and praised the city's efforts to develop Kaohsiung into an international city
International city
An international city is an autonomous or semi-autonomous city-state that is separate from the direct supervision of a single nation-state.-Rationale for establishment:International cities had either had one or both of the following characteristics:...
.
On July 25, 2005, Kaohsiung officially became the host city of World Games 2009
World Games 2009
The World Games of 2009 took place in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from July 16, 2009 to July 26, 2009. The games featured sports that are not contested in the Olympic Games....
, which will be the largest international sports event hosted in Taiwan, after Chen received the flag of the World Games
World Games
The World Games, first held in 1981, are an international multi-sport event, meant for sports, or disciplines or events within a sport, that are not contested in the Olympic Games...
. Chen later announced the construction of a world-class stadium built for the event.
In August 2005, Thai
Thai people
The Thai people, or Siamese, are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia as well as southern China. Their language is the Thai language, which is classified as part of the Kradai family of...
workers rioted over the draconian treatment they received as foreign worker
Foreign worker
A foreign worker is a person who works in a country other than the one of which he or she is a citizen. The term migrant worker as discussed in the migrant worker page is used in a particular UN resolution as a synonym for "foreign worker"...
s. These workers lived in poor conditions and had limited freedom. The Chen administration vowed to take action on August 25. Chen apologized to the public for the social turmoil caused by the incident and offered to resign three times. Then-premier Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh Chang-ting is a Taiwanese politician of the Democratic Progressive Party in the Republic of China. He was the mayor of Kaohsiung City until his appointment as President of the Executive Yuan by president Chen Shui-bian on February 1, 2005. He announced his resignation from the post of...
authorized Chen's resignation on September 12, and replaced him with former vice premier Yeh Chu-lan
Yeh Chu-lan
Yeh Chu-lan , born 1949, is a Taiwanese politician and the former acting mayor of Kaohsiung.- Rise in politics:Yeh entered politics after her husband, Cheng Nan-jung, a dissident, chose to commit suicide rather than be arrested in 1989....
.
Post-mayoralty
After a temporary period of research at the London School of EconomicsLondon School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
in England, Chen was appointed the Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office in February 2007. His appointment drew mixed reactions, with the support from the DPP legislative caucus and opposition from the Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
legislative caucus. Chen served with Lin Chia-lung
Lin Chia-lung
Lin Chia-lung is a Taiwanese academic and political figure, perhaps best known for serving under various capacities in the ROC Executive Yuan under President Chen Shui-bian, and his unsuccessful run for Mayor of Taichung City on the Democratic Progressive Party ticket in May 2005.-Background:Lin...
, former director of the Government Information Office
Government Information Office
The Government Information Office is a cabinet-level agency of the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China in charge of promoting government policies and regulating domestic media.-History:...
.
After the DPP chairmanship election
Democratic Progressive Party chairmanship election, 2008
The 2008 Democratic Progressive Party chairmanship election took place on May 18, 2008. The election date was announced by chairperson Frank Hsieh after losing the presidential election.- Chai Trong-rong :...
in May 2008, chairwoman-elect Tsai Ing-wen
Tsai Ing-wen
Tsai Ing-wen is the current chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan. Studying in Taiwan, the U.S and the U.K. Tsai earned an LL.B. from National Taiwan University, an LL.M. from Cornell University Law School and a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics....
announced the appointment of Chen as the Deputy Secretary-General of the party, serving with Cho Jung-tai until 2009. Now,Chen was the spokesperson of the Democratic Progressive Party
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
and the Chief executive officer of the Democratic Progressive Party
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party is a political party in Taiwan, and the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition. Founded in 1986, DPP is the first meaningful opposition party in Taiwan. It has traditionally been associated with strong advocacy of human rights and a distinct Taiwanese identity,...
Policy Research and Coordinating Committee since May 2011.