Chen Chien-jen | |||||||||||||||||||
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陳建仁 | |||||||||||||||||||
 Official portrait as Premier, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 31st Premier of the Republic of China | |||||||||||||||||||
| In office 31 January 2023 – 20 May 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| President | Tsai Ing-wen | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vice Premier | Cheng Wen-tsan | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Su Tseng-chang | ||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Cho Jung-tai | ||||||||||||||||||
| 11th Vice President of the Republic of China | |||||||||||||||||||
| In office 20 May 2016 – 20 May 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| President | Tsai Ing-wen | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Wu Den-yih | ||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Lai Ching-te | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Vice President of theAcademia Sinica | |||||||||||||||||||
| In office 18 October 2011 – 16 November 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
| President | Chi-Huey Wong | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Andrew H. J. Wang | ||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Andrew H. J. Wang | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12thMinister of the National Science Council | |||||||||||||||||||
| In office 25 January 2006 – 19 May 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Premier | Su Tseng-chang Chang Chun-hsiung | ||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Wu Tsung-tsong Yang Hung-duen | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Maw-Kuen Wu | ||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Lee Lou-chuang | ||||||||||||||||||
| 9thMinister of the Department of Health | |||||||||||||||||||
| In office 18 May 2003 – 1 February 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Premier | Yu Shyi-kun | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Twu Shiing-jer | ||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Wang Hsiu-hong(acting) Hou Sheng-mao | ||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1951-06-06)6 June 1951 (age 73) Cishan,Taiwan | ||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | DPP (2022–present) Independent (before 2022) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Lo Feng-ping[1][2] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Education | National Taiwan University (BS,MPH) Johns Hopkins University (DSc) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Awards | Order of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (2020) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 陳建仁 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 陈建仁 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Chen Chien-jen[3]OSKSGKHS (Chinese:陳建仁;Wade–Giles:Chen2 Chien4-jen2, born 6 June 1951) is a Taiwaneseepidemiologist and politician who served as the 11thvice president of the Republic of China from 2016 to 2020 andpremier of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2023 to 2024 under PresidentTsai Ing-wen.
After earning a doctorate fromJohns Hopkins University in the United States, Chen was a medical researcher and joined theChen Shui-bian presidential administration in 2003 as leader of theDepartment of Health, serving through 2005. He later headed theNational Science Council between 2006 and 2008. Chen then served as a vice president ofAcademia Sinica from 2011 to 2015. Later that year, Chen joinedTsai Ing-wen on theDemocratic Progressive Party presidential ticket and served asVice President of Taiwan from 2016 to 2020. Chen joined the DPP in 2022 and was appointed premier in January 2023.
He was a member of the Board of Trustees ofFu Jen Catholic University before running for the presidential election and served as Fu Jen's Robert J. Ronald Chair Professor after leaving office.[4][5][6]
Chen Chien-jen was born at his family home inCishan, Kaohsiung County, in 1951,[1] as one of eight children.[7] His father, Chen Hsin-an, served asKaohsiung County Magistrate from 1954 to 1957.[8] Chen's mother Chen Wei Lien-chih managed a daycare.[7]
Chen graduated fromNational Taiwan University with aBachelor of Science (B.S.) inzoology in 1973 and aMaster of Public Health (M.P.H.) in 1977. He then completed advanced studies in the United States and earned aDoctor of Science (D.Sc.) human genetics and epidemiology fromJohns Hopkins University in 1982.[8][9]
He began his medical career by researching hepatitis B, and helped raise awareness about vaccination for the disease in Taiwan.[8] Chen further researched on the liver cancer risk of people with hepatitis B.[10] Chen also discovered a link from arsenic toblackfoot disease [zh].[8][11] The arsenic research lead to the revision of international health standards for arsenic exposure.[10] Between 2011 and November 2015,[12] Chen was a vice president ofAcademia Sinica.[13][14]
Chen served asMinister of Health from 2003 to 2005.[15][16] As health minister, he was praised for effectively managing theSARS epidemic through quarantine and screening procedures,[10] despite Taiwan's non-membership in theWorld Health Organization complicating the coordination of research efforts.[17] His successorHou Sheng-mao credited Chen with reforming theNational Health Insurance program.[18] Chen led theNational Science Council from 2006 to 2008.[19]
On 16 November 2015, Chen was confirmed as the running mate forTsai Ing-wen in the2016 Taiwanese presidential election[20] after media speculation earlier in the month.[21][22] During the campaign, Chen became known by the nickname Brother Da-jen (大仁哥), after a character portrayed byChen Bolin on the romantic dramaIn Time with You.[23] Chen is the first Catholic vice presidential nominee in Taiwan.[24] On 16 January 2016, Tsai and Chen won the presidential election in a landslide.[25] Chen took up his post as Vice President on 20 May 2016.[26]
In March 2019, Chen announced that he would not seek a second term as vice president alongside Tsai.[27] Chen received international attention for his role in leading Taiwan's response to theCOVID-19 pandemic due to his unique position as both vice president and his epidemiologist background.[28][29] Days before he stepped down from the vice presidency, Chen stated that he would return to the Academia Sinica as a research fellow and thus forgo the pension connected to his political office.[30]
On May 17, 2019, the Legislative Yuan approved the same-sex marriage bill, Chen supported it by writing "The Executive Yuan has courageously assumed its responsibility, exercised its utmost wisdom and patience, and continuously communicated and coordinated with the pro and con sides in an effort to reduce social disagreements, proposing a bill that is consistent with the conclusion of the Justice's interpretation of the Constitution and responsive to the majority opinion of the referendum. In the face of the tensions between the pro and con sides, the legislators still uphold the democratic spirit of accommodating diverse opinions and complete the legislative work of the bill smoothly".[31]
In December 2021, Chen applied to join theDemocratic Progressive Party, and formally became a member in February 2022.[32][33] In January 2023, he rejoined the Tsai administration aspremier of Taiwan, taking office on 31 January.[33][34] Chen and the members of his cabinet submitted their joint resignations on 18 January 2024.[35]
Chen is married to Lo Fong-ping, whose family is from Nanjing.[36][37]
Chen Chien-jen is a devoutCatholic. Chen and his wife were invited to visit the Vatican several times by PopesJohn Paul II,Benedict XVI, andFrancis. He has been invested as aKnight of the Equestrian of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (2010)[38] and aKnight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great (2013).[39] He served on the board of trustees ofFu Jen Catholic University.[40]
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Mr. Chen Chien-jen was born in Cishan Township, Kaohsiung County (now merged into Kaohsiung City) in 1951.{...}The Vatican has invited Mr. Chen and his wife Ms. Lo Fong-ping to visit several times, where they have been received by Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.
The president arrived at the ceremony venue at 6:20 a.m. accompanied by Chen, Chen's wife Lo Fong-ping (羅鳳蘋), Presidential Office Secretary-General Chen Chu (陳菊) and Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Mr. Chen Chien-jen was born in Cishan Township, Kaohsiung County (now merged into Kaohsiung City) in 1951.
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Minister of Health 2003–2005 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of the National Science Council 2006–2008 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Vice President of the Republic of China 2016–2020 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Premier of the Republic of China 2023–2024 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | DPP nominee forVice President of the Republic of China 2016 | Succeeded by |
| Beiyang government (1913–1928) |
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