Hsieh Tung-min

Shieh Tung-min
Traditional Chinese 謝東閔
Simplified Chinese 谢东闵

Hsieh Tung-min (traditional Chinese: 謝東閔; simplified Chinese: 谢东闵; pinyin: Xiè Dōngmǐn; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Siā Tang-bín; January 25, 1908 - April 8, 2001) was the ninth Governor of Taiwan Province (1972-1978), the sixth and first local Taiwanese Vice President of the Republic of China (1978-1984) under president Chiang Ching-kuo.

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Family and early life

Tung-min was born to an ordinary farming family in the Japanese colony of Taiwan. He was educated in Taichung in 1922. He was graduated in the Sun Yat-sen University in 1928. Afterwards, he became a columnist in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

His brother, Shieh Min-chu is the president of Shih Chien University. His son is a physician.

Road into politics

In 1942, Tung-min was invited to plan the Taiwan office of Kuomintang. During 1943 - 1945, he worked for anti-Japan activities in Guangdong.

In 1945, after 20 and half years in the mainland, he went back to Taiwan as a KMT official. He became the first magistrate of Kaohsiung County in 1948, later Vice-director of Education of Taiwan Province, chancellor of National Taiwan Normal University, Secretary of Taiwan Province and Chief Councillor of Taiwan Province Council.

Governor of Taiwan Province

Tung-min became the ninth governor of Taiwan Province in 1972. On October 10, 1966, he received a parcel bomb from Taiwanese nationalist Wang Sing-nan (who now serves as a legislator for the Democratic Progressive Party). The bomb destroyed both of Shieh's hands. To avoid scurvy, the hospital decided to cut his left hand and gave him an artificial left hand.

Later political life

Tung-min became vice president on May 20, 1978. Afterwards he became senior secretary of the Presidential Office until his death in 2001.

Contributions to education in Taiwan

On March 26, 1958, Tung-min set up the first private university, the Shih Chien University in Kaohsiung. During his governorship and vice-presidency, he worked hard on educational affairs and success to make all people of the new generations of Taiwan to be educated.

Government offices
Preceded by
Chen Ta-ching
Governor of Taiwan Province
1972-1978
Succeeded by
Lin Yang-kang
Preceded by
Yen Chia-kan
Vice President of the Republic of China
May 20, 1978–May 20, 1984
Succeeded by
Lee Teng-hui