Not Just Good Lineage--The New Vice-Premier Lien Chan

Lian, 51, is from Tainan in Taiwan. After receiving his degree in Political Science from National Taiwan University, and after completing his military service, he earned an M.A. in International Public Law and Diplomacy at the University of Chicago (age 24). At 28 he received his Ph.D. in Political Science and by 31 he was the head of the Graduate School of Political Science at NTU. At only 39 he became Ambassador to El Salvador, and was appointed Minister of Communications at 45.

Lien has of course attracted a lot of attention in each post he has held, because he is consistently one of the youngest ever to have held each given position.

After Lien returned from Salvador he also served in other roles, including the head of the Youth Work Council, and then as a Vice-Secretary General, both in the Kuomintang Central Committee, and as the head of the National Youth Commission. All of these jobs involved party affairs, and when Lien became Minister of Communications (a job in which he says, "It is really hard to imagine how minute and detailed the work is") it was nearly inevitable that he would meet some difficult problems. But through hard work, by the end of his first year Lien had earned the following judgment from a privately owned newspaper: "Lien Chan gives everyone the feeling that he has completely mastered his job, and that he is capable of setting correct policies."

For a public official, Lien's name appears relatively infrequently in the press. One reason is that he does not often give interviews. Another is that he shuns what might be called in the U.S. "the cocktail circuit." As his confidential secretary describes him, Lien approaches his job with the thoroughness of a scholar, always absorbing as much information as he can (he typically reads seven newspapers in a day), and always thinking through decisions carefully. As a result, he has little time for socializing.

In his tenure as Minister, Lien has been active in developing several key projects, including the construction of a subway in Taipei, and the planning of a network of air routes. While not necessarily the originator of the concepts, Lien has done much to implement the ideas. Still he believes that much remains to be done, and that the Ministry of Communications should not only keep pace with the development of the nation, but should play a leading role.

With his promotion to Vice-Premier, Lien's rather unique family background has again come under scrutiny. His family is a distinguished one in Tainan: his grandfather Lien Ya-tang authored a history of Taiwan, while his father Lien Chen-tung served the ROC in several key posts, including Minister of the Interior, a member of the Executive Yuan's Political Affairs Committee, and as an advisor to the President.

Though Lien's family is from Taiwan, he was actually born on the mainland, spent his youth in Sian, and came to Taiwan only after WWII. To some this combination of a Taiwan identity with mainland experience gives Lien a unique political advantage. But he himself dismisses the issue, saying that he judges others not by their background or provincial origin, but by their accomplishments, and hopes others will judge him the same way. Lien argues that any country which wants to achieve success must pool the resources of all of its people, and cannot afford to exclude anyone on racial, linguistic, economic, or other grounds.

Lien considers it an honor to serve as a public official, as well as an opportunity to make a contribution to society. In Lien's view it is this ability to make a contribution, whether as public official, schoolteacher, businessman, or whatever, that lies at the heart of real public-spirited behavior.

Looking forward to his new job, Lien notes that assisting the Premier to promote policies may not take as much work as running a ministry, but that the responsibility and pressure are surely greater. How will he respond? "Exactly as before: by seizing the chance to get things done and giving my best at all times." Though Lien's answer is rather ordinary, in his case it is accurate.

[Picture Caption]

In the office of the Vice-Premier, Lien Chan cordially discusses his feelings about his new job. (photo by Vincent Chang)

Twelve years ago, Lien Chan served as Ambassador to El Salvador in his first official position. (photo courtesy of United Daily News Data Center)

Lien Chan goes to the Central Weather Bureau to check on the progress of a typhoon while Minister of Communications. (photo courtesy of United Daily News Data Center)

Twelve years ago, Lien Chan served as Ambassador to El Salvador in his first official position. （photo courtesy of United Daily News Data Center）

Lien Chan goes to the Central Weather Bureau to check on the progress of a typhoon while Minister of Communications. （photo courtesy of United Daily News Data Center）