Eugene Chien Explained

Eugene Chien
Nationality:Republic of China
Office:Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China
Term Start:1 February 2002
Term End:16 April 2004
Predecessor:Tien Hung-mao
Successor:Mark Chen
Office1:ROC Representative to the United Kingdom
Term Start1:1993
Term End1:1997
Office2:Minister of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China
Term Start2:1 June 1991
Term End2:27 February 1993
Predecessor2:Clement Chang
Successor2:Liu Chao-shiuan
Office3:Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration
Term Start3:22 August 1987
Term End3:31 May 1991
Predecessor3:Position established
Successor3:Jaw Shaw-kong
Office4:Member of the Legislative Yuan
Term Start4:1 February 1984
Term End4:31 January 1987
Constituency4:Taipei
Birth Date:4 February 1946
Birth Place:Taoyuan County (now Taoyuan City), Taiwan
Party:Kuomintang
Alma Mater:National Taiwan University (B.S.)
New York University (Ph.D.)
Profession:Diplomat and politician

Eugene You-hsin Chien (; born 4 February 1946) is a Taiwanese politician and diplomat.[1] He served as Foreign Minister of the Republic of China from 2002 to 2004.

Career

Eugene Chien, born in Taiwan in 1946, received his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at National Taiwan University and Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronautics at New York University.

After receiving his Ph.D. at the age of 27, Chien taught in Tamkang University in Taiwan. In the following eleven years, he became a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Aeronautical Engineering and was subsequently promoted to be the Dean of College of Engineering in Tamkang University in 1978. Chien was presented with the “Outstanding Young Engineer of the Republic of China Award”, the “Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the Republic of China Award” in the 1970s and in 1985 he was recognized as the “Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World ” by both Osaka Jaycees, Japan and Jaycees International.

In 1982, he hosted a national broadcasting TV program High Technology, in which he introduced various advanced technologies across the world to increase the public's interests in this subject. The program was well received amongst the public reaching over 30% of all viewers and subsequently obtained the Golden Bell Awards in Taiwan.

In 1983, Chien was elected as a legislator (Member of Parliament) in Taipei City with the highest number of votes. He was re-elected again in 1986. Throughout his political career, Chien served three different presidents from two different major political parties in Taiwan.

Chien was appointed as the first Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) under Chiang Ching-kuo's presidency. In 1991, during Lee Teng-hui's presidency, he was appointed as the Minister of Transportation and Communications and Representative of Taipei Representative Office in the United Kingdom (Ambassador), and Senior Advisor of National Security Council.

In 1998 he was conferred an Honorary Fellowship by Cardiff University Wales, UK. In 2000, during President Chen Shui-bian's presidency, Chien was appointed as the Deputy Secretary General of the Office of the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In 2007, Chien founded Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE). He has led a variety of activities both at home and abroad in order to raise public awareness on climate change and sustainable energy. As part of his efforts, he has started to host a weekend national radio show on Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC), called When the Earth Comes Down with a Fever, in which he frequently discusses issues relating to climate change. In 2010, Chien was presented the "Global Views Environmental Heroes Awards" by Yahoo and Global Views Monthly.

References

Category21st-century Taiwanese politicians

Notes and References

  1. News: Chien reports to the Control Yuan. Chu. Monique. March 13, 2003. Taipei Times. 7 May 2012.