Chiou I-jen

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Vice Premier of Taiwan
Chiou I-jen 邱義仁

In office May 17, 2007 – May 6, 2008
President	Chen Shui-bian
Premier	Chang Chun-hsiung
Preceded by	Tsai Ing-wen

Born	May 9, 1950 (1950-05-09) (age 58) Pingtung County, Taiwan
Nationality	Republic of China (Taiwan)
Political party	Democratic Progressive Party
Alma mater	National Taiwan University University of Chicago

Chiou I-jen (traditional Chinese: 邱義仁; pinyin: Qiu Yiren), born May 9, 1950, was a Vice Premier of the Republic of China (Taiwan) between May 17, 2007 to May 6, 2008.

1 Early career
2 Rise in politics
3 Career under Chen administration
- 3.1 2008 scandal
4 References
5 See also

[edit] Early career

Chiou was born in 1950 in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan. He earned a BA in philosophy from National Taiwan University in 1972, and subsequently attended the University of Chicago, where he earned an MA in political science.^[1] While attending the University of Chicago, Chiou was an influential member of the Taiwanese democratization movement, earning himself the nickname "Loudspeaker."^[2]

[edit] Rise in politics

Chiou returned to Taiwan, and in 1983, members of the "New Tangwai Generation," including Chiou I-jen, formed the "Association of Tangwai Editors and Writers."^[3] The group was focused on bringing democracy to Taiwan, enshrining that goal in their charter: "...Taiwan's future should be decided by its 18 million inhabitants." The charter went on to say "...the people of Taiwan have the right to choose independence." In 1986, Chiou, along with other members of the Tangwai movement, helped the movement coalesce into a coherent political party, thus forming the Democratic Progressive Party or DPP. Given that the KMT still ruled the island at the time and did not allow much at all in the way of political opposition, the DPP opted to take a low profile, yet continued to advocate its message of self-determination for Taiwan. Chiou's "New Tangwai Generation" group stuck together and formed the New Tide Faction within the DPP.

As the political climate in Taiwan grew less oppressive and more open, the DPP flourished and began competing with the KMT in elections. In the early 1990s, Chiou was appointed Secretary General of the DPP and served under party Chairmen Shih Ming-teh and Hsu Hsin-liang, but resigned from the post in 1998 to take responsibility for the poor performance of the DPP in the three-in-one elections. The DPP had also begun sending its own representatives to the United States, so as to counterbalance the views of the official KMT-run Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office. Subsequent to his resignation as DPP Secretary General, Chiou was appointed DPP representative, and was sent to Washington, DC.

[edit] Career under Chen administration

While serving as DPP representative to Washington, Chiou also served as the campaign manager for former Taipei Mayor Chen Shui-bian, who was running as the DPP candidate for President. With Chen's election, Chiou was appointed Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council. Shortly thereafter, Chiou was appointed Secretary General for the Executive Yuan, giving him a stronger hand in shaping government policy.

Chiou served in the EY until early 2002, when Yu Shyi-kun was appointed Premier. Premier Yu removed Chiou from his position as EY Secretary General and moved him to a position as minister without portfolio. In March 2002, Ting Yu-chou stepped down as Secretary General of the National Security Council, and President Chen selected Chiou to replaced him. Chiou served in this position from 2002-2003.

In January of 2003, in a reshuffle of personnel designed to better enable the DPP to wage its campaign for the 2004 Presidential election, President Chen moved Chiou from his position as NSC Secretary General to become the Secretary General of the Presidential Office, earning him the monniker "The Permanent Secretary General."^[4] Regarded as the DPP's top elections strategist,^[5] Chiou once again successfully managed Chen's campaign, despite the apparent assassination attempt on President Chen and Vice President Annette Lu.

After the successful conclusion of the 2004 election, Chiou was moved back to the National Security Council as Secretary General, and remained there until early 2007, when he was moved back to the Presidential Office as Secretary General. On May 17, 2007, along with the rest of the Cabinet of out-going Premier Su Tseng-chang, Dr. Tsai Ing-wen resigned to make way for incoming Premier Chang Chun-hsiung and his Cabinet. Premier Chang named Chiou I-jen, to replace Dr. Tsai as Vice Premier.^[6]

[edit] 2008 scandal

On May 5, 2008, Chiou I-jen resigned from the ruling party after acknowledging responsibility for arranging the transfer of $ 29.8 million to a Taiwanese man acting as intermediary in a deal to try to get Papua New Guinea to officially recognize Taiwan: "I feel deeply ashamed in the face of my country and people; In addition to helping with judicial investigations, I will withdraw from my beloved Democratic Progressive Party. I believe the investigations will prove my innocence." Both the man, Ching Chi-ju, and the money disappeared.^[7] Chiou I-jen was prosecuted with corruption and was prohibited from leaving Taiwan.

On May 6, 2008, Chiou I-jen resigned from the post of Vice Premiership.^[8]