Mary Chen Explained

Mary Chen
Chen Man-li
Native Name Lang:zh-tw
Honorific-Suffix:MLY
Smallimage:Chen Man-Li-04 - by Zil Chang (cropped).jpg
Order:Member of the Legislative Yuan
Term Start:1 February 2016
Term End:31 January 2020
Constituency:National At-Large
Birth Date:5 February 1955
Birth Place:Taipei, Taiwan
Nationality:Taiwanese
Education:San Diego State University (MBA)

Mary Chen or Chen Man-li (; born 5 February 1955) is a Taiwanese environmentalist and politician. A longtime leader of the Homemakers' Union and Foundation and the National Union of Taiwan Women’s Associations, she was an active member of Green Party Taiwan before joining the Democratic Progressive Party in 2015. She represented the DPP in the 2016 legislative elections, and won a seat via party list proportional representation.

Education

Chen earned a master's in business administration from San Diego State University in the United States.[1]

Political stances and activism

In a 2001 open letter co-written with nine others, Chen rejected the One China principle and advocated Taiwanese independence.[2] In the early 2000s, she was the leader of the Homemakers' Union and Foundation.[3] From this position, Chen advocated for a centralized collection effort regarding organic kitchen waste.[4] She also denounced the Chinese fur trade.[5] She has called upon governmental and private efforts to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions.[6] By 2009, Chen had stepped down as chair of the Homemaker Union and Foundation,[7] but later resumed the post and remained on its board of directors.[8] [9] She has described nuclear power as "something that can cause immense destruction when something goes wrong" in spite of increasing public support for the technology due to climate change.[10] Chen advocated that construction of the Lungmen Nuclear Power Plant be stopped,[11] and plans were eventually put on hold in 2014.

Chen believes that the use of ractopamine and other additives is questionable and not fully endorsed by scientific research,[12] [13] and that US beef imports to Taiwan found to include ractopamine should not be accepted.[14] [15] She is active in raising awareness for other food safety concerns,[16] [17] among them nitrate and radiation contamination.[18] [19] [20] Chen has warned against cigarette consumption on public health and environmental grounds.[21] [22] She opposed the reclassification of scrap metal as non-hazardous material proposed in 2013, citing a health scare similar to food scandal that received widespread attention that year.[23]

Chen has also led the National Union of Taiwan Women’s Associations.[24] In this capacity, Chen opposed the appropriation of public land for government-sanctioned private and business use.[25] In 2009, she led a protest against legislator Tsai Chin-lung, who charged public oversight organization Citizen Congress Watch with slander over an unfavorable ranking of him.[26] Chen also participated in a campaign to bar the construction of a casino on Penghu later that year.[27] A referendum was held in September to consider its establishment, but it failed.[28] [29]

As a legislator, Chen has been frequently critical of Taipower, Taiwan's state-owned electric utility.[30] [31] In addition to Taipower, Formosa Petrochemical and Formosa Plastics Group have also drawn her attention for subpar environmental protection efforts.[32] [33] Chen has pushed for the government to revise standards and clearly differentiate between types of industrial waste.[34] [35] With regards to animal rights, Chen supports a ban on the use of steel traps and backs government attempts to cut down on animal euthanasia.[36] [37]

Career

Green Party Taiwan supported Chen's 2006 campaign for a seat on Taipei City Council.[38] She later became a party convenor.[39] Chen received Green Party Taiwan support for a legislative run in Taipei County 9th district during the 2008 election.[40] In 2015, Chen was named to the Democratic Progressive Party proportional representation party list ballot and subsequently elected to the Legislative Yuan.[41] [42] In 2016, Penghu County considered a second referendum on casinos, which Chen also opposed.[43] [44] Like the first vote, the second referendum did not pass.[45] [46] She supported an amendment to the Act of Gender Equality in Employment proposed in May, which aimed to lengthen maternity leave for partners of unmarried women.[47] Chen also backed calls to establish a government ministry leading marine conservation efforts.[48] [49]

Chen sat on a total of four committees, including the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee, the Procedure Committee, the Expenditure Examination Committee, and the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.[1]

Notes and References

  1. News: Chen Man-li. 5 June 2017. Legislative Yuan. 10 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200610115944/https://www.ly.gov.tw/EngPages/List.aspx?nodeid=12132. live.
  2. News: An open letter to the people of Taiwan. 4 June 2017. Taipei Times. 18 August 2001. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072034/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2001/08/18/0000099086. live.
  3. News: Chiu. Yu-Tzu. Earth Day brings out the green army. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 23 April 2001. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072035/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2001/04/23/0000082816. live.
  4. News: Lim. Peggy. Turning waste into gold. 4 June 2017. Taipei Times. 19 April 2003. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072025/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2003/04/19/0000202725. live.
  5. News: Chiu. Yu-Tzu. Activists urge fur boycott. 4 June 2017. Taipei Times. 3 February 2003. 14 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210314182944/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/02/03/2003222038. live.
  6. News: Chiu. Yu-Tzu. More effort urged on curbing emissions. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 3 November 2004. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072024/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/11/03/2003209479. live.
  7. News: Lu. Meggie. Environmentalists push for green energy action. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 16 April 2009. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072032/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/04/16/2003441225. live.
  8. News: Chang. Rich. Civic group accuses investigators of harassment. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 22 May 2010. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072051/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/05/22/2003473586. live.
  9. News: Loa. Iok-sin. 2014 ELECTIONS: Ko unveils panel to pick city environmental chief. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 15 November 2014. 20 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150320163215/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/11/15/2003604479. live.
  10. News: Loa. Iok-sin. Protestors throng nuclear plant. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 30 August 2010. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234829/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/08/30/2003481669. live.
  11. News: Lee. I-chia. Ma promises response to environmental NGO's call. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 23 April 2013. 13 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130513044637/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/04/23/2003560507. live.
  12. News: Lee. I-chia. Rally held to protest beef policy. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 2 April 2012. 22 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140722231918/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/04/02/2003529319. live.
  13. News: US BEEF CONTROVERSY: Sixteen civic groups rally in Taipei against US beef. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 8 March 2012. 2 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180702043959/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2012/03/08/2003527251. live.
  14. News: Shih. Hsiu-chuan. Expert questions transparency of US beef meetings. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 22 February 2012. 2 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170802204256/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2012/02/22/2003526068. live.
  15. News: Anti-beef activists rally outside AIT to protest US' attitude. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 9 June 2012. 2 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190902185002/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/06/09/2003534897. live.
  16. News: Hsiao. Alison. State, public, firms must ensure food safety: groups. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 19 June 2013. 9 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131009145853/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/06/19/2003565168. live.
  17. News: Hsiao. Alison. FDA criticized over metals scare. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 16 November 2013. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072033/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/11/16/2003576997. live.
  18. News: Lee. I-chia. Nitrate poisoning case prompts calls for new test. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 19 September 2012. 9 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210609023232/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/09/19/2003543147. live.
  19. News: Lee. I-chia. Women's group expresses fears over food radiation. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 8 December 2012. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072036/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/12/08/2003549651. live.
  20. News: Lee. I-chia. Group urges checks on imported food. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 7 September 2013. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072054/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/09/07/2003571568. live.
  21. News: Hsiao. Alison. Anti-smoking groups urge government to outlaw tobacco ads. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 27 May 2013. 28 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150628054116/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/05/27/2003563300. live.
  22. News: Hsiao. Alison. Quit smoking to cut carbon emissions: group. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 12 March 2013. 31 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190831061337/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/03/12/2003556895. live.
  23. News: Lee. I-chia. Activists worried changes could ease scrap metal imports. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 30 October 2013. 14 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131114183841/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/10/30/2003575741. live.
  24. News: Lin. Jean. Peng Wan-ru's murder remembered by activists. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 1 December 2005. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072015/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/12/01/2003282445. live.
  25. News: Lin. Jackie. Conference on Sustaining Taiwan's Economic Development: State-owned land raises ire at finance panel's meeting. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 28 July 2006. 4 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170704002756/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/07/28/2003320725. live.
  26. News: Loa. Iok-sin. Civic groups hold protest over lawsuit against CCW. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 5 February 2009. 27 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171027061536/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/02/05/2003435271. live.
  27. News: Gerber. Abraham. Casino development bad for environment: opponents. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 7 October 2016. 20 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170420145144/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/10/07/2003656689. live.
  28. News: Shih. Hsiu-Chuan. ANALYSIS: Analysts say referendum highlights problems. 4 June 2017. Taipei Times. 29 September 2009.
  29. News: Loa. Iok-sin. Residents of Penghu reject casino resort plan. 4 June 2017. Taipei Times. 27 September 2009. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211041/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2009/09/27/2003454586. live.
  30. News: Chen. Wei-han. 29 February 2016. Taipower panned over nuclear waste storage. Taipei Times. 5 June 2017. 7 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170107012312/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/02/29/2003640493. live.
  31. News: Lee. I-chia. 13 March 2016. Protesters rally against nuclear power. Taipei Times. 5 June 2017. 13 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160313202730/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2016/03/13/2003641449. live.
  32. News: Gerber. Abraham. 13 October 2016. Conflicting reports raise plant pollution concerns. Taipei Times. 5 June 2017. 19 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161019105812/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/10/13/2003657071. live.
  33. News: Cheng. Hung-ta. Chung. Jake. 7 December 2016. Vietnamese priest complains about FPG unit. Taipei Times. 5 June 2017.
  34. News: Chen. Wei-han. 12 April 2016. EPA accused of sloppy handling of industrial waste. Taipei Times. 5 June 2017. 16 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160616224006/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/04/12/2003643785. live.
  35. News: Chen. Wei-han. 15 March 2016. Discovery of untreated slag leads to suspension. Taipei Times. 5 June 2017. 13 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160413065334/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/03/15/2003641634. live.
  36. News: Lin. Chia-nan. 16 May 2017. Animal rights group urges amendment to prohibit steel snares. Taipei Times. 5 June 2017. 16 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170516171919/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/05/16/2003670692. live.
  37. News: Hsiao. Alison. 2 April 2016. Groups cautious over animal law. Taipei Times. 5 June 2017. 14 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160414151812/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/04/02/2003643009. live.
  38. News: Shan. Shelley. Green Party Taiwan calls for support. 4 June 2017. Taipei Times. 6 November 2006. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923184056/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/11/06/2003335067. live.
  39. News: Ko. Shu-ling. Coalition pushes for transparency. 4 June 2017. Taipei Times. 1 January 2008. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072038/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/01/01/2003395148. live.
  40. News: Lu. Meggie. Green Party Taiwan names five candidates. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 6 November 2007. 29 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929150832/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/11/06/2003386444. live.
  41. News: Loa. Iok-sin. List of candidates demonstrates DPP ready to lead: Wu. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 12 November 2015. 1 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220501072023/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/11/12/2003632278. live.
  42. News: Chen. Wei-han. Activists, writers urge sustainability. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 5 January 2016. 10 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160110060841/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/01/05/2003636474. live.
  43. News: Hsiao. Alison. Penghu can be 'green' island chain: premier. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 19 October 2016. 23 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170123091859/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/10/19/2003657473. live.
  44. News: Gerber. Abraham. Penghu referendum ballot misleading: critics. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 14 October 2016. 14 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170614145225/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/10/14/2003657138. live.
  45. News: Emphatic 'no' in Penghu casino vote. 5 June 2017. The China Post. 16 October 2016. 24 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004239/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/offshore-islands/2016/10/16/481225/Emphatic-no.htm. dead.
  46. News: Hetherington. William. Penghu says no to casinos for second time. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 16 October 2016. 14 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170614194131/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2016/10/16/2003657252. live.
  47. News: Hsu. Stacy. DPP proposes amendments to gender equality act. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 9 May 2016. 9 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160509103110/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/05/09/2003645855. live.
  48. News: Chen. Wei-han. Groups want ocean affairs ministry. 5 June 2017. Taipei Times. 8 June 2016. 15 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160815024642/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/06/08/2003648165. live.
  49. News: Yang. Chun-hui. Chin. Jonathan. Lawmakers push for maritime ministry. 8 June 2017. Taipei Times. 8 June 2017. 10 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170610230346/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/06/08/2003672139. live.

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