Chai Trong-rong
Encyclopedia
Chai Trong-rong sometimes known in English as Trong Chai, is a Taiwanese
politician. He is currently a member of the Legislative Yuan
, the national legislative body of the Republic of China
(Taiwan).
Born in Taiwan
, Chai earned his master's and doctorate degrees in the United States. He is a pro-democracy advocate and founded the Association for a Plebiscite in 1990.
A member of the Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP), Chai has been elected a national-level legislator multiple times. He has taken part in three of the DPP chairmanship elections. However, he lost all three of the elections.
, Chiayi County
, Taiwan. At the time, Taiwan was still part of the Empire of Japan
. After the Second World War, his father served as Chiayi County
council member for two terms.
After his graduation from the National Tainan First Senior High School
, Chai attended the National Taiwan University
(NTU) studying political science
. He later switched his major to law and graduated from the NTU College of Law in 1958. He was then conscripted and served in the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army
for sixteen months.
In 1960, Chai went to the United States and studied at the University of Tennessee
, where he earned his master's degree in political science
. As a result of participating in the independence movement of Taiwan
, Chai was placed on the Kuomintang
's black list and was unable to return to Taiwan. He continued studying and attended the University of Southern California
, earning his doctorate degree in 1969. In 1986, Chai became a professor of political science at the City University of New York
.
(WUFI) in 1970 and became its first president. Then in 1982, he founded the Formosan Association for Public Affairs
(FAPA), serving as its first president also.
Chai returned to Taiwan to in the name of attending a funeral in June 1990. He was issued a new passport and joined the Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) shortly after his arrival. He founded the Association for a Plebiscite in November. The goal of the association was to reform through the will of the people.
a legislator representing Chiayi City in 1992. Although he was not reelected in 1995 running against Vincent Siew
of the Kuomintang
, he was elected into the Legislative Yuan
again in the 1997 by-election and reelected in 1998, 2001, and 2004. During these terms, Chai was involved in the National Defense, Overseas Compatriot Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees.
He supported the localization policies
of the Chen Shui-bian
administration. In 2005, he urged the Ministry of Education
to get rid of contexts of "aboveboard Chinese" ' onMouseout='HidePop("80844")' href="/topics/Chinese_nationalism">Chinese nationalistic
term imposed by the Chiang Kai-shek
regime after World War II
) from the back cover of elementary school workbooks. In response to the Anti-Secession Law of the People's Republic of China
, Chai and legislator Chuang He-chi proposed draft for an "Anti-Annexation Law."
, he lost the DPP chairmanship election in 1996. However, the resignation of Su Tseng-chang
as DPP chairperson in 2005 led to Chai's decision to run again. He was the first in the party to register his candidacy.
Chai was one of the three candidates who registered. He was endorsed by vice president Annette Lu
and foreign minister Mark Chen
. The election was held in January 2006. Former Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Yu Shyi-kun
won with over 54% of the votes while Chai received 36%.
In 2008, after the defeat of Frank Hsieh
in the presidential election, DPP candidate Hsieh resigned as chairman and announced the date for the chairmanship election. Chai declared his candidacy on April 14.
Although the DPP passed a resolution to ban all factions
within the party in 2006, the dissent between former members of different factions was still present and was thought to be one of the factors that led to DPP's loss in the presidential election. Chai, along with Koo Kwang-min emphasized the importance of consolidating the party's policy on independence, while Tsai Ing-wen
focused on the cooperation of former factions and expansion of the party's support base.
Chai was supported by Tainan City mayor Hsu Tain-tsair
, but decided to withdraw from the race in May and gave his support to another candidate Koo Kwang-min. However, it was too late to officially withdraw from the election, and Chai received 5 percent of the votes.
Taiwanese people
Taiwanese people may refer to individuals who either claim or are imputed cultural identity focused on the island of Taiwan and/or Taiwan Area which have been governed by the Republic of China since 1945...
politician. He is currently a 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...
, the national legislative body of 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...
(Taiwan).
Born in 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...
, Chai earned his master's and doctorate degrees in the United States. He is a pro-democracy advocate and founded the Association for a Plebiscite in 1990.
A member 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,...
(DPP), Chai has been elected a national-level legislator multiple times. He has taken part in three of the DPP chairmanship elections. However, he lost all three of the elections.
Early life and education
Chai Trong-rong was born on June 13, 1935, in modern-day BudaiBudai, Chiayi
Budai is an urban township in Chiayi County, Taiwan. Its industry is mainly made up of fishery. It was the site where Japanese forces landed and completed the encirclement of Tainan during the Japanese Invasion of Taiwan in 1895....
, Chiayi County
Chiayi County
Chiayi County is a county in southwestern Taiwan surrounding but not including Chiayi City. Its historical name in Taiwanese Hokkien derives from Tsirosen in the Formosan languages...
, Taiwan. At the time, Taiwan was still part of the Empire of Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
. After the Second World War, his father served as Chiayi County
Chiayi County
Chiayi County is a county in southwestern Taiwan surrounding but not including Chiayi City. Its historical name in Taiwanese Hokkien derives from Tsirosen in the Formosan languages...
council member for two terms.
After his graduation from the National Tainan First Senior High School
National Tainan First Senior High School
National Tainan First Senior High School is a public senior high school in Tainan City, Taiwan. The school was established in 1922. It is often considered one of the most prestigious high schools in Taiwan, usually only accepting students who rank in the top 3 percentile of the Taiwan Basic...
, Chai attended 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,...
(NTU) studying political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. He later switched his major to law and graduated from the NTU College of Law in 1958. He was then conscripted and served in the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army
Republic of China Army
The ROC Army's current operational strength includes 3 armies, 5 corps. As of 2005, the Army's 35 brigades include 25 infantry brigades, 5 armoured brigades and 3 mechanized infantry brigades...
for sixteen months.
In 1960, Chai went to the United States and studied at the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, where he earned his master's degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. As a result of participating in the independence movement of Taiwan
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...
, Chai was placed on 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...
's black list and was unable to return to Taiwan. He continued studying and attended the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, earning his doctorate degree in 1969. In 1986, Chai became a professor of political science at the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
.
Entry into politics
Chai established the World United Formosans for IndependenceWorld United Formosans for Independence
The World United Formosans for Independence , also known as WUFI, is an organization promoting Taiwan independence. It was established in 1970 by like-minded organizations in Canada, the U.S., Japan, Europe, and Taiwan...
(WUFI) in 1970 and became its first president. Then in 1982, he founded the Formosan Association for Public Affairs
Formosan Association for Public Affairs
The Formosan Association for Public Affairs is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that seeks to build worldwide support for Taiwan independence. Its 52 chapters also seek to advance the interests of Taiwanese people and communities around the world. Currently, the President of FAPA...
(FAPA), serving as its first president also.
Chai returned to Taiwan to in the name of attending a funeral in June 1990. He was issued a new passport and joined 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,...
(DPP) shortly after his arrival. He founded the Association for a Plebiscite in November. The goal of the association was to reform through the will of the people.
Legislative career
Chai was electedRepublic of China legislative election, 1992
Legislative elections were held in the Republic of China on 21 December 1992. The result was a victory for the Kuomintang, which won 95 of the 161 seats. Voter turnout was 72.0%.-Results:...
a legislator representing Chiayi City in 1992. Although he was not reelected in 1995 running against Vincent Siew
Vincent Siew
Vincent C. Siew Wan-chang is the incumbent Vice President of the Republic of China. He was the first Taiwanese-born Premier of the Republic of China and former vice-chairman of the Kuomintang .-Biography:...
of 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...
, he was elected into 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...
again in the 1997 by-election and reelected in 1998, 2001, and 2004. During these terms, Chai was involved in the National Defense, Overseas Compatriot Affairs, and Foreign Affairs Committees.
He supported the localization policies
Taiwanization
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...
of the 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...
administration. In 2005, he urged the Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education (Republic of China)
The Ministry of Education of the Republic of China is responsible for incorporating educational policies and managing public schools throughout the Free Area of the Republic of China. The ministry is a cabinet level governmental body of the Executive Yuan...
to get rid of contexts of "aboveboard Chinese" ' onMouseout='HidePop("80844")' href="/topics/Chinese_nationalism">Chinese nationalistic
Chinese nationalism
Chinese nationalism , sometimes synonymous with Chinese patriotism refers to cultural, historiographical, and political theories, movements and beliefs that assert the idea of a cohesive, unified Chinese people and culture in a unified country known as China...
term imposed by the Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin....
regime after World War II
Taiwan after World War II
Taiwan after World War II is the history of Taiwan which is ruled by the government of the Republic of China, since 25 October 1945 for present.-Early postwar society:...
) from the back cover of elementary school workbooks. In response to the Anti-Secession Law of the People's Republic of China
Anti-Secession Law of the People's Republic of China
The Anti-Secession Law is a law of the People's Republic of China. It was passed by the third conference of the 10th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China . It was ratified on March 14, 2005, and went into effect immediately. Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of...
, Chai and legislator Chuang He-chi proposed draft for an "Anti-Annexation Law."
Chairmanship campaigns
Despite the fact that Chai was endorsed by renowned pharmacologist Chen-Yuan LeeChen-Yuan Lee
Chen-Yuan Lee , was a Taiwanese pharmacologist and political activist. He is famous for his research on snake venom. He was a recipient of the prestigious Redi Award from the , and was also a former president of the society. He was a former dean of the National Taiwan University College of Medicine...
, he lost the DPP chairmanship election in 1996. However, the resignation of Su Tseng-chang
Su Tseng-chang
Su Tseng-chang is a Taiwanese politician of the Democratic Progressive Party. He is the former Premier of the Republic of China. Su actively campaigned for the Presidential nomination of the DPP, but finished second to Frank Hsieh in the nomination process...
as DPP chairperson in 2005 led to Chai's decision to run again. He was the first in the party to register his candidacy.
Chai was one of the three candidates who registered. He was endorsed by vice president 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...
and foreign minister Mark Chen
Mark Chen
Mark Chen Tang-shan , born September 16, 1935, in Tainan County , Taiwan, is a Taiwanese politician, former Secretary-General of the Office of the President of the Republic of China under ex-President Chen Shui-bian. He was also previously Foreign Minister of the ROC from 2004 to 2006...
. The election was held in January 2006. Former Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Yu Shyi-kun
Yu Shyi-kun
Yu Shyi-kun , a Taiwanese politician of the Democratic Progressive Party, is a former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan. He previously served as Premier of the Republic of China from 2002 to 2005...
won with over 54% of the votes while Chai received 36%.
In 2008, after the defeat of 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...
in the presidential election, DPP candidate Hsieh resigned as chairman and announced the date for the chairmanship election. Chai declared his candidacy on April 14.
Although the DPP passed a resolution to ban all factions
Political faction
A political faction is a grouping of individuals, such as a political party, a trade union, or other group with a political purpose. A faction or political party may include fragmented sub-factions, “parties within a party," which may be referred to as power blocs, or voting blocs. The individuals...
within the party in 2006, the dissent between former members of different factions was still present and was thought to be one of the factors that led to DPP's loss in the presidential election. Chai, along with Koo Kwang-min emphasized the importance of consolidating the party's policy on independence, while 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....
focused on the cooperation of former factions and expansion of the party's support base.
Chai was supported by Tainan City mayor Hsu Tain-tsair
Hsu Tain-tsair
Hsu Tain-tsair , a Taiwanese politician, served as the mayor of Tainan City from 2001 to 2010. Born in Tainan County , Hsu got his PhD candidacy in economics in the United States, where he started participating in the independence movement of Taiwan...
, but decided to withdraw from the race in May and gave his support to another candidate Koo Kwang-min. However, it was too late to officially withdraw from the election, and Chai received 5 percent of the votes.