Yao Jen-to

Yao Jen-to (Chinese: 姚人多; pinyin: Yáo Rénduō; born 12 December 1969) is a Taiwanese sociologist and politician who previously served as the vice chairperson and secretary-general of Straits Exchange Foundation from 21 June 2018 to 19 May 2020. He is currently a professor of sociology at National Tsing Hua University.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Yao.

Yao Jen-to
姚人多
Vice Chairman of Straits Exchange Foundation
In office 21 June 2018 – 19 May 2020
Chairperson	Katharine Chang
Preceded by	Ko Cheng-heng
Secretary-General of Straits Exchange Foundation
In office 21 June 2018 – 19 May 2020
Chairperson	Katharine Chang
Preceded by	Ko Cheng-heng
Deputy Secretary-General to the President
In office 10 August 2016 – 20 June 2018
President	Tsai Ing-wen
Secretary-General	Lin Bih-jaw Liu Chien-sin (acting) Joseph Wu Liu Chien-sin (acting) Chen Chu
Preceded by	Tseng Hou-jen
Personal details
Born	12 December 1969 (1969-12-12) (age 55) Taiwan
Political party	Democratic Progressive Party
Education	National Taiwan University (BA) University of Essex (PhD)

Education

Yao obtained his bachelor's degree in sociology from National Taiwan University and earned a Ph.D. from University of Essex in the United Kingdom.

Political career

Yao had been working as a security adviser to President Tsai Ing-wen when, on 10 August 2016, he was appointed deputy secretary-general of the presidential office.^[1] On 20 June 2018 he resigned from the presidential office position and took the role of vice chairperson and secretary-general of Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) the following day as confirmed by SEF spokesperson.

Political stance

In 2013 during a public forum, Yao as a member of Democratic Progressive Party made a statement that Taiwan independence movement has lost its popularity among the public in Taiwan and urged the Party to facilitate democratization in China by promoting Taiwan's experiences in furthering democracy, freedom and human rights.^[2]