Lin Chia-lung

Lin Chia-lung (; born 13 February 1964) is a Taiwanese political scientist and politician who has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan since 20 May 2024. He previously served as Secretary General to the President of Taiwan from 2023 to 2024.

Before entering politics, Lin graduated from National Taiwan University, earned three degrees from Yale University, and became a professor of political science at National Chung Cheng University. As a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), he ran in the 2014 Taiwanese local elections and was elected as Mayor of Taichung, serving from 2014 to 2018.

Early life and education

Lin was born in Wanhua District, Taipei City. His father was a tailor from Mailiao in Yunlin County who left his hometown to work in Wanhua. His mother was from Lukang, Changhua County.

After graduating from Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School in 1982, Lin enrolled in National Taiwan University (NTU) and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in political science in 1986 and his master's degree in the subject from the university in 1988. As an undergraduate, he was an active student activist, serving as president of the NTU "Mainland Affairs Research Society," a small Kuomintang dissident group, and as a representative of the university's student union.

In 1990, Lin was one of the co-leaders of the Wild Lily student movement along with Luo Wen-jia and Julian Kuo. In 1991, while studying for his doctorate at NTU, Lin was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to complete graduate studies in the United States, where he earned a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in 1992, a second Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1993, and his Ph.D. in 1998, all in political science from Yale University. His doctoral dissertation was titled, "Paths to democracy: Taiwan in comparative perspective," and was supervised by political scientist Juan José Linz.

Academic career

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 included 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.

Political career

In the early 2000s, he served in various capacities in the Executive Yuan under DPP President Chen Shui-bian. 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 Kao Chin Su-mei, 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 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%). In 2014 Lin ran again against Hu and won by a landslide margin, over 200,000 votes.

Lin was appointed DPP Secretary-General in January 2006, and Deputy Secretary-General to the President in October 2007.

Mayor of Taichung (2014–2018)

Lin defeated DPP legislator Tsai Chi-chang in a public opinion poll that served as the party's primary on 31 December 2013. He was elected as the Mayor of Taichung after winning the Taichung mayoral election on 29 November 2014, defeating Kuomintang (KMT) incumbent Jason Hu.

During his term, Lin oversaw "Project Taichung Port 2.0", coordinating with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Taiwan International Ports Corporation to plan and enhance the port area, including preservation of Gaomei Wetland in the northern portion and commercial development in the southern portions. The opening of Mitsui Outlet Park Taichung Port was said to have attracted NT$910 billion (approximately US$30 billion) in investments over 4 years.

Lin was re-nominated as the mayoral candidate in November 2017. He was defeated by KMT candidate Lu Shiow-yen.

Post-mayoralty career

Lin succeeded Wang Kwo-tsai on 14 January 2019 who was acting Minister of Transportation and Communications. He resigned on 4 April 2021 in the aftermath of the Hualien train derailment which killed at least 49 people, stating that he would take full political responsibility for the crash and will leave once the rescue work ends.

In January 2022, Lin was appointed ambassador without portfolio in charge of promoting Taiwan's digital New Southbound Policy initiatives. He is expected to serve in this role until May 2024.

After decided not to contest the New Taipei mayoralty in July 2022, the DPP selected Lin as its candidate for the post. Lin lost to then-deputy mayor Hou Yu-ih in a landslide defeat in the general election.

From 31 January 2023, Lin served in the Chen Chien-jen cabinet as Secretary-General to the President.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Lin was designated as foreign minister by president-elect Lai Ching-te on 11 April 2024, succeeding Joseph Wu.

In August 2024, Lin and Joseph Wu (now National Security Council head) attended a closed-door security dialogue with United States officials through a "special channel." The format of the meeting was noted as a way to maintain communication between the two governments due to limits on contact allowed by the unofficial nature of Taiwan's relations with the U.S.

In November 2024, Lin remarked that the Taiwanese government did not oppose the restoration of Lithuania's diplomatic relations with China, following incoming prime minister Gintautas Paluckas's comments of doing so. Paluckas had stated his desire to repair relations with the Chinese government, who downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania and imposed trade restrictions following the establishment of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania in 2021.

Later that month, Lin embarked on a tour of European countries, including Belgium, Lithuania, and Poland. He attended a dinner ceremony marking the third anniversary of the establishment of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius.

Personal life

Lin is married to Liao Wan-ju (), niece of Taiwanese businessman and Chi Mei Corporation founder Shi Wen-long.

Honors

* 2024 Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon

Selected works

*

References

External links

Official biography
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lin, Chia-lung
1964 births
Living people
Democratic Progressive Party (Taiwan) politicians
National Taiwan University alumni
Politicians of the Republic of China on Taiwan from Taipei
Taiwanese political scientists
Ministers of transportation and communications of Taiwan
Yale University alumni
Mayors of Taichung
Members of the 8th Legislative Yuan
Recipients of the Order of Brilliant Star