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Chen Chien-jen

Taiwanese epidemiologist, geneticist, and politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chen Chien-jen
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For the diplomat, see Chen Chien-jen (born 1939).
In this Taiwanese name, the surname is Chen.

Chen Chien-jen[3] OS KSG KHS (Chinese: 陳建仁; born 6 June 1951) is a Taiwanese epidemiologist, geneticist, and politician who served as Vice President of Taiwan from 2016 to 2020 and Premier of Taiwan from 2023 to 2024 under President Tsai Ing-wen.

Quick Facts 28th Premier of the Republic of China, President ...

After earning a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Chen was a medical researcher and joined the Chen Shui-bian presidential administration in 2003 as leader of the Department of Health, serving through 2005. He later headed the National Science Council between 2006 and 2008. Chen then served as a vice president of Academia Sinica from 2011 to 2015. Later that year, Chen joined Tsai Ing-wen on the Democratic Progressive Party presidential ticket and served as Vice 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 of Fu 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]

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Early life and education

Chen was born at his family home in Cishan, Kaohsiung County, on June 6, 1951,[1] as one of eight children.[7] His father, Chen Hsin-an, was a Kuomintang official who served as Kaohsiung County Magistrate from 1954 to 1957.[8] Chen's mother, Chen Wei Lien-chih, managed a daycare.[7]

After graduating from Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School, Chen enrolled in National Taiwan University (NTU) to study forestry, then transferred departments as a sophomore to study zoology instead. He graduated from NTU with his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in zoology in 1973 and obtained a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) from the university in 1977.[8][9]

After receiving his master's degree, Chen completed advanced studies in the United States at Johns Hopkins University, where he studied under molecular biologist Pien-Chien Huang and epidemiologist Bernice H. Cohen. He earned his Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in human genetics and epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 1983.[10]

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Career as researcher

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.[11] Chen also discovered a link from arsenic to blackfoot disease [zh].[8][12] The arsenic research lead to the revision of international health standards for arsenic exposure.[11] Between 2011 and November 2015,[13] Chen was a vice president of Academia Sinica.[14][15]

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Political career

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Chen served as Minister of Health from 2003 to 2005.[16][17] As health minister, he was praised for effectively managing the SARS epidemic through quarantine and screening procedures,[11] despite Taiwan's non-membership in the World Health Organization complicating the coordination of research efforts.[18] His successor Hou Sheng-mao credited Chen with reforming the National Health Insurance program.[19] Chen led the National Science Council from 2006 to 2008.[20]

Vice presidency (2016–2020)

On 16 November 2015, Chen was confirmed as the running mate for Tsai Ing-wen in the 2016 Taiwanese presidential election[21] after media speculation earlier in the month.[22][23] During the campaign, Chen became known by the nickname Brother Da-jen (大仁哥), after a character portrayed by Chen Bolin on the romantic drama In Time with You.[24] Chen is the first Catholic vice presidential nominee in Taiwan.[25] On 16 January 2016, Tsai and Chen won the presidential election in a landslide.[26] Chen took up his post as Vice President on 20 May 2016.[27]

In March 2019, Chen announced that he would not seek a second term as vice president alongside Tsai.[28] Chen received international attention for his role in leading Taiwan's response to the COVID-19 pandemic due to his unique position as both vice president and his epidemiologist background.[29][30] 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.[31]

Support for same-sex marriage

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".[32]

Premiership (2023–2024)

Main article: Chen Chien-jen cabinet

In December 2021, Chen applied to join the Democratic Progressive Party, and formally became a member in February 2022.[33][34] In January 2023, he rejoined the Tsai administration as premier of Taiwan, taking office on 31 January.[34][35] Chen and the members of his cabinet submitted their joint resignations on 18 January 2024.[36]

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Personal life

Chen is married to Lo Fong-ping, whose family is from Nanjing.[37][38]

Chen Chien-jen is a devout Catholic. Chen and his wife were invited to visit the Vatican several times by Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. He has been invested as a Knight of the Equestrian of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (2010)[39] and a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great (2013).[40] He served on the board of trustees of Fu Jen Catholic University.[41] In April 2025 Chen was chosen to represent Taiwan at the funeral of Pope Francis.

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Honours and awards

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Official vice presidential portrait, 2016 (left)
Chen in an interview with The Telegraph, 2020 (right)
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See also

References

External links

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