Lin Chia-lung (born 13 February 1964) is a Taiwanese politician and former academic who is the Secretary General to the President of Taiwan, serving since 31 January 2023. A member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), he served as mayor of Taichung City from 2014 to 2018.

Early life and education

Lin was born in Taipei City. After graduating from Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School, Lin Chia-lung attended National Taiwan University (NTU), where he received his B.A. (1986) and M.A. (1988) in political science. As a student representative at NTU, Lin was active in the NTU Society for the Study of Mainland China (臺大大陸問題研究社), and a participant in the "Love of Freedom" (自由之愛) campus free speech movement. Lin played a key role in pushing for the direct election of the student council chairman by students, and was responsible for drafting the election plan proposed by students to the campus administration in 1984. Lin attended Yale University in the United States on a Fulbright scholarship from 1991 through 1994. He received master's degrees in philosophy (1992) and political science (1993), as well as a PhD in political science (1998). His dissertation was titled "Paths to democracy: Taiwan in comparative perspective". Returning to Taiwan after graduating from Yale, Lin served on the faculty of the political science department at National Chung Cheng University as an assistant professor from 1999 through 2004. His research interests include the democratization of Taiwan, as well as the political and economic development of the People's Republic of China, and has written several books on the subjects.

Political career

In the early 2000s, he served in various capacities in the Executive Yuan under DPP President Chen Shui-bian. Lin was appointed as an advisor to the National Security Council in 2000, and to the position of cabinet spokesman in 2003. Lin represented the government position in a debate against Legislator Kao Chin Su-mei, where he argued in favor of arms procurements which would be submitted to referendum the following year. Due to his performance as cabinet spokesman, Lin was appointed director of the Government Information Office (GIO) by President Chen Shui-bian following his reelection in 2004. In January 2005, Lin authorized a GIO program encouraging donations to provide financial support for orphans of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Controversy over the program later arose in August 2005, five months after Lin had left GIO, surrounding the delay in disbursing NT$400 million in donations to various charities and NGOs. Media reports suggesting that the program had been neglected in the transition between Lin and his successor at GIO, Pasuya Yao were denied by GIO, which promised the funds would be disbursed by September 5. Lin resigned from his position as GIO director in March 2005 to run as DPP candidate for mayor of Taichung City. In the ensuing elections held in December 2005, Lin lost against incumbent Mayor Jason Hu by 87,075 votes (19.3%). In 2014 Lin ran again against Hu and won by a landslide margin, over 200,000 votes. Lin was appointed DPP Secretary-General in January 2006, and Deputy Secretary-General to the President in October 2007.

Mayor of Taichung (2014-2018)

Lin defeated DPP legislator Tsai Chi-chang in a public opinion poll that served as the party's primary on 31 December 2013. He was elected as the Mayor of Taichung after winning the Taichung mayoral election on 29 November 2014, defeating Kuomintang (KMT) incumbent Jason Hu. During his term, Lin oversaw "Project Taichung Port 2.0", coordinating with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Taiwan International Ports Corporation to plan and enhance the port area, including preservation of Gaomei Wetland in the northern portion and commercial development in the southern portions. The opening of Mitsui Outlet Park Taichung Port was said to have attracted NT$910 billion (approximately US$30 billion) in investments over 4 years. Lin was re-nominated as the mayoral candidate in November 2017. He was defeated by KMT candidate Lu Shiow-yen.

Post-mayoralty career

Lin succeeded Wang Kwo-tsai on 14 January 2019 who was acting Minister of Transportation and Communications. He resigned on 4 April 2021 in the aftermath of the Hualien train derailment which killed at least 49 people, stating that he would take full political responsibility for the crash and will leave once the rescue work ends. In January 2022, Lin was appointed ambassador without portfolio in charge of promoting Taiwan's digital New Southbound Policy initiatives. He is expected to serve in this role until May 2024. After Lo Chih-cheng decided not to contest the New Taipei mayoralty in July 2022, the DPP selected Lin as its candidate for the post. Lin lost to then-deputy mayor Hou Yu-ih in a landslide defeat in the general election. From 31 January 2023, Lin served in the Chen Chien-jen cabinet as Secretary-General to the President. Lin was designated as foreign minister by president-elect Lai Ching-te on 11 April 2024.

Personal life

Lin is married to Liao Wan-ju (廖婉如), niece of Taiwanese businessman and Chi Mei Corporation founder Shi Wen-long.

Honors

Selected works