Lai Shin-yuan (Chinese: 賴幸媛; pinyin: Lài Xìngyuán, born 9 November 1956, in Taichung, Taiwan) is a Taiwanese politician who served as minister of the Mainland Affairs Council from 2008 to 2012.
Lai Shin-yuan | |
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賴幸媛 | |
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Representative of Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei) | |
In office 28 September 2012 – July 2016 | |
Preceded by | Lin Yi-fu |
Succeeded by | Cyrus Chu |
Minister of Mainland Affairs Council of the Republic of China | |
In office 20 May 2008 – 28 September 2012 | |
Preceded by | Chen Ming-tong |
Succeeded by | Wang Yu-chi |
Member of the Legislative Yuan | |
In office 1 February 2005 – 31 January 2008 | |
Constituency | Republic of China |
Personal details | |
Born | Taichung, Taiwan | 9 November 1956
Political party | Independent (since 2008) |
Other political affiliations | Taiwan Solidarity Union (2004–2008) |
Alma mater | Shih Hsin University London School of Economics University of Sussex |
Education
editLai earned an M.A. degree International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Lai earned an MPhil degree and a DPhil degree in Development Studies from the University of Sussex.
Academic career
editShe previously taught at Shih Hsin University (1997–98) and Tamkang University (1997–2008) as an adjunct professor.
Political career
editLai served as a senior adviser on the National Security Council in the Chen Shui-bian Administration from 2000 to 2004. From 2005 to 2008, Lai was a member of the Legislative Yuan, representing the Taiwan Solidarity Union.
ROC Mainland Affairs Council Ministry
editLai was selected to head the Mainland Affairs Council by President Ma Ying-jeou. She took office on 20 May 2008, with the Liu Chao-shiuan cabinet. During her term, Lai oversaw the normalization of relations between Taiwan and the special administrative regions of the PRC which are Hong Kong and Macau. Reciprocal offices were established in the three areas.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Macau
editOn 19 July 2011, Lai officially unveiled the renaming of ROC representative office in Macau from Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Macau to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Macau, bringing it in line with the rest of ROC representative offices around the world. The office renaming would give the ROC government better opportunities to promote Taiwan in Macau. The official renaming was made on 4 July 2011.[1][2]
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong
editOn 20 July 2011, Lai preceded the ceremony to rename the ROC representative office to Hong Kong from Chung Hwa Travel Service to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong, bringing it inline with other ROC representative offices naming around the world. This renaming possibility was considered a milestone in the improved cross-strait relations between Taipei and Beijing.[3] The office is located at Lippo Center building.
Macau Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei
editOn 13 May 2012, Lai celebrated the opening ceremony of Macau representation office in Taiwan. Lai was accompanied by Cheong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR. Lai added that the office establishment resulted from the principle of goodwill and reciprocity held by both sides and it was considered a milestone in the development for bilateral relation between ROC and Macau. The office is located in Taipei 101 building.[4][5]
Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei
editOn 15 May 2012, Lai oversaw the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei. The office is located at President International Tower (統一國際大樓) building in Xinyi District. She added that bilateral relations between Taiwan and Hong Kong are close and hoped that the reciprocal office establishment between the two sides can serve as platform for interaction what will expand the promotion of interaction and cooperation. Also present during the opening ceremony was John Tsang, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR. He said during his opening note that Taiwan and Hong Kong have made substantial progress in the area of economic exchanges, cultural exchanges, financial supervision cooperation, bilateral transportation arrangement and cargo transshipment.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ "MAC minister launches renamed Taiwan office in Macau - Press Releases - Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles 駐洛杉磯台北經濟文化辦事處". Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
- ^ "MAC minister launches renamed Taiwan office in Macau". 20 July 2011.
- ^ "Townhall: Conservative News, Cartoons, Top Stories & Commentary".
- ^ "Macau representative office opens in Taipei". 14 May 2012.
- ^ "Macau opens economic office - Taipei Times". 14 May 2012.
- ^ http://www.cepd.gov.tw/encontent/m1.aspx?sNo=0017205[permanent dead link]
- ^ "HKETCO - Welcome Message". Archived from the original on 2013-07-01. Retrieved 2013-08-20.