Lin Yi-fu explained

Lin Yi-fu
Native Name Lang:zh-tw
Order:Representative of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu to the World Trade Organization
Term Start:17 May 2005
Term End:September 2012
Predecessor:Yen Ching-chang
Successor:Lai Shin-yuan
Order1:Minister without portfolio
Term Start1:20 May 2004
Term End1:1 February 2005
Order2:Minister of Economic Affairs of the Republic of China
Term Start2:21 March 2002
Term End2:19 May 2004
Predecessor2:Christine Tsung
Successor2:Ho Mei-yueh
Deputy2:Yiin Chii-ming
Order3:Political Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs
Term Start3:2000
Term End3:2002
Minister3:Lin Hsin-i
Christine Tsung
Order4:Administrative Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs
Term Start4:1997
Term End4:2000
Minister4:Wang Chih-kang
Lin Hsin-i
Birth Date:1942 11, df=y
Birth Place:Taihoku, Taihoku Prefecture, Taiwan, Empire of Japan
Party:Kuomintang
Alma Mater:National Chengchi University

Lin Yi-fu should not be confused with Justin Yifu Lin.

Lin Yi-fu (; born 15 November 1942) is a Taiwanese politician. A member of the Kuomintang, he served as Minister of Economic Affairs in the presidential administration of Chen Shui-bian from 2002 to 2004.

Education and early career

Lin was born in 1942 and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and statistics from National Chengchi University in 1965.[1] The next year, he began working for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and served as trade representative to Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Canada.[2] In 1990, Lin was named deputy director-general of the Board of Foreign Trade. Lin assumed the leadership of the Board of Foreign Trade in 1995, serving two years until his appointment as administrative deputy minister of economic affairs. In 2000, Lin was promoted to the position of political deputy minister within the same ministry.[3]

Later career

Lin took office as Minister of Economic Affairs on 21 March 2002, after the resignation of Christine Tsung.[3] Lin was succeeded by Ho Mei-yueh in Chen Shui-bian's second term, but accepted an offer to stay on in the Executive Yuan as minister without portfolio in May.[2] As minister without portfolio, Lin was tasked with reviewing bills and projects related to finance and economics.[4] Lin tendered his resignation from the cabinet in January 2005,[5] and became Taiwan's representative to the World Trade Organization in May.[6] [7] After taking office, he repeatedly called for the government to increase its participation in WTO initiatives,[8] [9] and for the United States to sign a free trade agreement with Taiwan.[10] [11] During Lin's tenure as Taiwan's WTO representative, the Agency for International Trade Information and Co-operation granted Taiwan observer status for a two-year period, starting in 2007.[12]

Lin later became a board member of various Taiwanese companies, including Nan Ya Plastics, Taishin Financial Holdings, and Swissray Global Healthcare.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: The New Cabinet. 30 July 2017. Taiwan Today. 1 July 2004.
  2. News: Ho. Jessie. Economics minister says goodbye. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 20 May 2004.
  3. News: Dobson. Richard. Tsung quits post after 48 woeful days. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 21 March 2002.
  4. News: Lin. Chieh-yu. Ko. Shu-ling. Pro-independence activist to head mission in Japan. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 19 May 2004.
  5. News: Hsieh offers KMT, China peace pipe. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 29 January 2005.
  6. News: Lin assumes office at WTO. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 15 May 2005.
  7. News: Next WTO envoy takes up his position. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 19 May 2005.
  8. News: Ho. Jessie. Taiwan sees opportunities at WTO. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 30 October 2006.
  9. News: More active WTO role sought. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 18 January 2011.
  10. News: Lin calls for FTA talks with US. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 24 March 2006.
  11. News: Taiwan seeks support for FTA with US. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 19 March 2007.
  12. News: Agency welcomes Taiwan. 30 July 2017. Taipei Times. 8 December 2007.
  13. News: Lin Yi-fu. 30 July 2017. Bloomberg.