Christine Chow Ma
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| Christine Chow Ma Chow Mei-ching 周美青 |
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First Lady of the Republic of China
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office May 20, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Wu Shu-chen |
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| Born | November 30, 1952  Hong Kong |
| Nationality |  Republic of China |
| Spouse | Ma Ying-Jeou |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Alma mater | National Chengchi University New York University (LL.M.) |
Christine Chow Ma or Chow Mei-ching (traditional Chinese: 周美青; Hanyu Pinyin: Zhōu Měiqīng; Tongyong Pinyin: Jhou Měicing; Wade-Giles: Chou Mei-ching; born November 30, 1952, in Hong Kong with family roots in Nanjing, Jiangsu) is the wife of Ma Ying-Jeou, the President of the Republic of China. She is the First Lady of the Republic of China.
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[edit] Biography
Chow was born in Hong Kong in 1952.[1] She graduated from Taipei First Girls' High School and received her bachelor degree from National Chengchi University and LL.M. degree from New York University Law School.
Chow was a high-school classmate of Ma Ying-jeou's sister. Chow and Ma were married in New York.[2] She worked as a research assistant, an assistant librarian, and even as maître d’hôtel at a Chinese restaurant to support her husband through Harvard Law School.[3] They have two daughters.
Mrs. Ma is currently employed at the Mega International Commercial Bank in Taiwan in its legal department. After Ma Ying-jeou won the 2008 presidential election, she has said that she will continue her professional work. [4] The only change she has made since her husband's election to the presidency is taking a chauffeured ride to work instead of public transportation. [5]
[edit] Personality
Chow is presented as a stark contrast from her predecessor, Chen Shui-bian's first lady, Wu Shu-chen; Chow is known for staying out of any political limelights and has also rarely joined officials' wives at social or official functions in the past. Chow has stated that she will not fulfill "traditional" first lady responsibilities (no former first ladies of the past had held an active occupation); she has, however, said that she will fill in on meeting and greeting dignitaries if she has the time.[6]
Chow is described as down-to-earth while sometimes lacking social and political tact while being assertive. She once answered a reporter's question regarding her husband's shortcomings saying, "Whatever weak points husbands have, he has them all." [7]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ (Chinese)Both Ma Ying-jeou and Chow Mei-ching were born in Hong Kong, DWNEWS, March 26, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese)率真周美青 人氣勁升, Wen Wei Po, March 24, 2008.
- ^ Discipline First for Taiwan’s New Leader, The New York Times, March 24, 2008.
- ^ Post-Election 2008: Ma's wife determined to carry on as bank lawyer, Taipei Times, Mar 26, 2008.
- ^ Taiwan's prospective first lady sets example, International Herald Tribune, Apr 2, 2008.
- ^ Taiwan's next first lady to mark shift in style, AFP, Apr 2, 2008.
- ^ Taiwan's prospective first lady sets example, International Herald Tribune, Apr 2, 2008.
