Lin Chia-lung
Encyclopedia
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.
, and was raised in both areas.
After graduating from Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo Senior High School, Lin Chia-lung attended National Taiwan University
(NTU), where he received his BA (1986) and MA (1988) in political science. As a student representative at NTU, Lin was active in the NTU Society for the Study of Mainland China (臺大大陸問題研究社), and a participant in the "Love of Freedom" (自由之愛) campus free speech movement. Lin played a key role in pushing for the direct election of the student council chairman by students, and was responsible for drafting the election plan proposed by students to the campus administration in 1984.
Lin left Taiwan for the United States to attend Yale University
on a Fulbright scholarship from 1991 through 1994. He received master's degrees in philosophy (1992) and political science (1993), as well as a PhD. in political science (1998). Returning to Taiwan after graduating from Yale, Lin served on the faculty of the political science department at National Chung Cheng University
as an assistant professor from 1999 through 2004. His research interests include the democratization of Taiwan, as well as the political and economic development of the People's Republic of China
, and has written several books on the subjects.
Lin currently resides in Taichung City with his family.
Lin was appointed as an advisor to the National Security Council in 2000, and to the position of cabinet spokesman in 2003. Lin represented the government position in a debate against Legislator May Chin
, where he argued in favor of arms procurements which would be submitted to referendum the following year.
Due to his performance as cabinet spokesman, Lin was appointed director of the Government Information Office
(GIO) by President Chen Shui-bian
following his reelection in 2004. In January 2005, Lin authorized a GIO program encouraging donations to provide financial support for orphans of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Controversy over the program later arose in August 2005, five months after Lin had left GIO, surrounding the delay in disbursing NT$400 million in donations to various charities and NGOs. Media reports suggesting that the program had been neglected in the transition between Lin and his successor at GIO, Pasuya Yao were denied by GIO, which promised the funds would be disbursed by September 5.
Lin resigned from his position as GIO director in March 2005 to run as Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) candidate for mayor of Taichung City. In the ensuing elections held in December 2005, Lin lost against incumbent Mayor Jason Hu
by 87,075 votes (19.3%).
Lin was appointed DPP Secretary-General in January 2006, and Deputy Secretary-General to the President in October 2007.
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...
academic and political figure, perhaps best known for serving under various capacities in the ROC
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...
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:...
under President 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...
, and his unsuccessful run for Mayor of Taichung City on 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,...
ticket in May 2005.
Background
Lin was born in Taipei's Wanhua District to parents from Yunlin CountyYunlin County
Yunlin County is a county in the western part of Taiwan, the Republic of China. Yunlin is located to the right of the Taiwan Strait, the east of Nantou County and sharing a border with Changhua County divided by the Zhuoshui River. Yunlin is one of the counties of Taiwan that is part of the Chianan...
, and was raised in both areas.
After graduating from Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo Senior High School, Lin Chia-lung attended 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), where he received his BA (1986) and MA (1988) in political science. As a student representative at NTU, Lin was active in the NTU Society for the Study of Mainland China (臺大大陸問題研究社), and a participant in the "Love of Freedom" (自由之愛) campus free speech movement. Lin played a key role in pushing for the direct election of the student council chairman by students, and was responsible for drafting the election plan proposed by students to the campus administration in 1984.
Lin left Taiwan for the United States to attend Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
on a Fulbright scholarship from 1991 through 1994. He received master's degrees in philosophy (1992) and political science (1993), as well as a PhD. in political science (1998). Returning to Taiwan after graduating from Yale, Lin served on the faculty of the political science department at National Chung Cheng University
National Chung Cheng University
National Chung Cheng University , abbreviated CCU, is a public research university located in Minhsiung, Chiayi County, Taiwan. It is distinctive among universities in Taiwan in that it is dedicated to the core humanities and the basic sciences, both natural and social...
as an assistant professor from 1999 through 2004. His research interests include the democratization of Taiwan, as well as the political and economic development of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, and has written several books on the subjects.
Lin currently resides in Taichung City with his family.
Political career
May Chin
Stage named May Chin, Kao Chin Su-mei , born on September 21, 1965 in Heping Township, Taichung County , Taiwan as Chin Su-mei, to a Han Chinese father and a Taiwanese Aborigine mother, is a Taiwanese singer, actress and politician...
, where he argued in favor of arms procurements which would be submitted to referendum the following year.
Due to his performance as cabinet spokesman, Lin was appointed 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:...
(GIO) by President 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...
following his reelection in 2004. In January 2005, Lin authorized a GIO program encouraging donations to provide financial support for orphans of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Controversy over the program later arose in August 2005, five months after Lin had left GIO, surrounding the delay in disbursing NT$400 million in donations to various charities and NGOs. Media reports suggesting that the program had been neglected in the transition between Lin and his successor at GIO, Pasuya Yao were denied by GIO, which promised the funds would be disbursed by September 5.
Lin resigned from his position as GIO director in March 2005 to run as 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) candidate for mayor of Taichung City. In the ensuing elections held in December 2005, Lin lost against incumbent Mayor Jason Hu
Jason Hu
Jason Hu Chih-chiang is a former official in the national government of Republic of China. He is currently serving his second term as mayor of the central Taiwan city of Taichung. His current term ends in early 2010 and he is currently running for re-election as mayor of the new Taichung...
by 87,075 votes (19.3%).
Lin was appointed DPP Secretary-General in January 2006, and Deputy Secretary-General to the President in October 2007.