Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Chen Shui-bian

Role / Field:

Taiwanese politician who served as the fifth President of the Republic of China (2000-2008).

Born:

1950-10-12

Century / Era:

1950s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Chen Shui-bian (Chinese: 陳水扁; pinyin: Chén Shuǐbiǎn; born 12 October 1950) is a Taiwanese politician and lawyer who served as the fifth president of the Republic of China from 2000 to 2008. Chen was the first president from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), ending the Kuomintang's (KMT) 55 years of continuous rule in Taiwan. He is sometimes referred to by the nickname A-Bian (阿扁). He was previously the mayor of Taipei from 1994 to 1998 and the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party for two terms (2002–2004; 2007–2008).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Chen was born in Guantian District, Tainan County to an impoverished farming family. After graduating from National Taiwan University in 1974, he worked as a lawyer, making a name for himself as a human rights lawyer and supporter of Taiwanese independence. He was elected to the Taipei City Council in 1981 under the Tangwai movement, beginning his political career. He joined the Democratic Progressive Party in 1987 and was elected to the Legislative Yuan, serving from 1989 to 1994, when he became the first directly-elected DPP Mayor of Taipei in the 1994 mayoral elections. As mayor, Chen led reforms to improve the civil service, oversaw the construction of...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Agnes Smedley — Contemporary (Died in 1950) (1950): American journalist and activist supporting Indian Independence and Chinese Communism.
• Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah — Contemporary (Died in 1950) (1950): Tenth ruler of Kuwait, leading the sheikhdom from 1921 until his passing in 1950.
• Ahmad Tajuddin — Contemporary (Died in 1950) (1950): The 27th Sultan of Brunei, advocating for the Sultanate's political autonomy.
• Aleister Crowley — Shared historical date (10-12 · Born) (1875): Founder of Thelema, a major occultist, poet, and ceremonial magician.
• Anatole France — Shared historical date (10-12 · Died) (1924): Master French writer, poet, and journalist celebrated for irony and style.
• Al Jolson — Historical peer (Died in 1950) (1950): Iconic Lithuanian-American entertainer, famed for vaudeville and 'The Jazz Singer'.
• Alan Silvestri — Historical peer (Born in 1950) (1950): Award-winning composer renowned for epic film scores, especially for blockbuster franchises.
• A. D. Hope — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Australian poet and essayist celebrated for his satirical wit and academic career.
• A. E. van Vogt — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Aimé Césaire — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Afro-Martinican poet, politician, and founder of the Négritude movement.
• 1950 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1950
• October 12 (10-12) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 12

Frequently Asked Questions about Chen Shui-bian