Lee Ta-hai
Encyclopedia
Lee Ta-Hai (1919-1995) was a politician
and businessman in the Republic of China
(ROC) on Taiwan
. A former executive of the Chinese Petroleum Corporation, Lee was Minister of Economic Affairs under President Chiang Ching-kuo
and continued to advise the Republic of China government under Chiang's successor, Lee Teng-hui
.
Lee married Chung Chiang-shen and had two sons.
government's petroleum monopoly. His tenure led to his appointment by Chiang Ching-kuo to the presidential cabinet, where he served as Minister of Economic Affairs through Chiang's death in 1988. The beginning of Lee's term was marked by growing pressure from the United States to reduce tariffs and trade barriers amidst a growing trade deficit in the U.S. As head of the ROC's economic policy, Lee presided over the gradual liberalization that characterized the later years of Chiang Ching-kuo's administration while balancing relations with the U.S. His refusal to allow the NT dollar to appreciate against the U.S. dollar, however, caused further friction with the American government and raised the threat of trade sanctions in 1987.
Although Chiang Ching-kuo died in January 1988, Lee continued to serve as Minister for another six months, after which he declined to pursue a seat in the Kuomintang
Central Council. He continued to assist the KMT administration under Lee Teng-hui
as National Policy Advisor. Lee also served as chairman of the country's largest research institute, the Industrial Technology Research Institute
. In 1995, shortly before his death, he released his autobiography, "石油一生" ("Oil as My Life").
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and businessman in the 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...
(ROC) on Taiwan
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...
. A former executive of the Chinese Petroleum Corporation, Lee was Minister of Economic Affairs under President Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo , Kuomintang politician and leader, was the son of President Chiang Kai-shek and held numerous posts in the government of the Republic of China...
and continued to advise the Republic of China government under Chiang's successor, Lee Teng-hui
Lee Teng-hui
Lee Teng-hui is a politician of the Republic of China . He was the 7th, 8th, and 9th-term President of the Republic of China and Chairman of the Kuomintang from 1988 to 2000. He presided over major advancements in democratic reforms including his own re-election which marked the first direct...
.
Lee married Chung Chiang-shen and had two sons.
Political career
Prior to entering government, Lee was chairman of the state-owned Chinese Petroleum Corporation and oversaw the ROCRepublic 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...
government's petroleum monopoly. His tenure led to his appointment by Chiang Ching-kuo to the presidential cabinet, where he served as Minister of Economic Affairs through Chiang's death in 1988. The beginning of Lee's term was marked by growing pressure from the United States to reduce tariffs and trade barriers amidst a growing trade deficit in the U.S. As head of the ROC's economic policy, Lee presided over the gradual liberalization that characterized the later years of Chiang Ching-kuo's administration while balancing relations with the U.S. His refusal to allow the NT dollar to appreciate against the U.S. dollar, however, caused further friction with the American government and raised the threat of trade sanctions in 1987.
Although Chiang Ching-kuo died in January 1988, Lee continued to serve as Minister for another six months, after which he declined to pursue a seat in 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...
Central Council. He continued to assist the KMT administration under Lee Teng-hui
Lee Teng-hui
Lee Teng-hui is a politician of the Republic of China . He was the 7th, 8th, and 9th-term President of the Republic of China and Chairman of the Kuomintang from 1988 to 2000. He presided over major advancements in democratic reforms including his own re-election which marked the first direct...
as National Policy Advisor. Lee also served as chairman of the country's largest research institute, the Industrial Technology Research Institute
Industrial Technology Research Institute
The Industrial Technology Research Institute is a non-profit research institute located in Taiwan under the supervision of the Republic of China Ministry of Economic Affairs. It conducts research and development in applied technologies to advance private sector growth...
. In 1995, shortly before his death, he released his autobiography, "石油一生" ("Oil as My Life").