From the last edition of the ROC (Taiwan) Yearbook that used to be published by the disbanded Government Information Office (GIO).

1. Sun Yat-sen 孫中山
political ideals are summarized in a set of
Founding Father, Republic of China doctrines called the Three Principles of the
People 三民主義, comprising solidarity of the
people, power to the people and prosperity
of the people.
Over the next 16 years, Sun and his
followers launched 10 futile attempts to
topple the Qing government. Finally, on
October 10, 1911, forces loyal to Sun took
over Wuchang 武昌, the capital of Hubei
Province 湖北省. Thereafter, other prov-
inces and important cities joined the revo-
lutionary camp and declared independence
from the Qing government. On December
29, 1911, Sun was elected provisional presi-
dent of the new Republic by delegates from
across China gathered in Nanjing. He was
inaugurated on January 1, 1912, the found-
ing day of the ROC.
To preserve national unity, Sun relin-
quished the presidency on April 1, 1912 to
military strongman Yuan Shi-kai 袁世凱, who
S
un Yat-sen 孫逸仙, also known as declared himself emperor in 1915. Sun and
Sun Chung-shan 孫中山 and Sun other leaders relocated to Japan to continue
Wen 孫文, was born in 1866 in the revolutionary struggle until Yuan’s death
a coastal village of Xiangshan in 1916. Thereafter, they organized a new
County 香山縣, Guangdong Province 廣東省. government in Guangzhou 廣州, and in 1921
After receiving his early education in both Sun became its president. He devoted the rest
Chinese and Western schools, he moved to of his life to uniting China’s feuding factions.
Hawaii in 1879, where he attended Iolani Sun denied the inevitability of commu-
and Oahu Colleges. In 1883, he returned to nism in China. He believed that class strug-
China to continue his studies, concentrating gle, an intrinsic element of communism, was
on the Chinese classics and history. He later not an inevitable stage in human progress.
moved to Hong Kong to attend Queen’s He reiterated this point in a joint declara-
College and in 1892 graduated from Hong tion issued with Soviet envoy Adolf Joffe in
Kong Medical College for Chinese. 1923, which stated that communism was not
Deeply concerned at the Qing 清 dynas- suitable for China. Sun also believed that co-
ty government’s oppression, corruption and operation rather than class struggle was the
submissiveness toward foreign powers, Sun driving force behind social development.
gave up his medical career to pursue politi- Sun died of cancer on March 12, 1925,
cal reform. In 1894, together with a group of at the age of 59 in Beijing. In 1940, he was
young overseas Chinese, Sun established his posthumously declared the founding father
first revolutionary organization, the Revive of the ROC for his lifelong contributions to
China Society 興中會, in Honolulu. His the revolution.
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2. Ma Ying-jeou 馬英九
B
orn in Hong Kong on July 13,
1950, Ma Ying-jeou moved with
his family to Taiwan one year
President later. After receiving a bachelor
Republic of China (Taiwan) of law (LL.B.) degree from National Taiwan
University 國立臺灣大學 in 1972 and per-
forming his military service, he earned a
master of laws (LL.M.) degree from New
York University School of Law in 1976, and
a doctor of juridical science (S.J.D.) degree
from Harvard Law School in 1981.
Upon completion of his studies, Ma re-
turned to Taiwan and dedicated his life to
public service. In 1981, he became Deputy
Director of the First Bureau at the Office of
the President, doubling as President Chiang
Ching-kuo’s 蔣經國 English interpreter and
secretary. He later served concurrently as
Deputy Secretary-General of the Kuomin-
tang (KMT) 中國國民黨.
In 1988, Ma was appointed Chairman
of the Research, Development and Evalu-
ation Commission 行政院研究發展考核委員
會. Concurrently, he was assigned to form
a Mainland Affairs Task Force 大陸工作會
報 in charge of formulating policy toward
mainland China, and subsequently served as
its Executive Secretary. Three years later, he
was appointed Vice Chairman and Spokes-
man of the new Mainland Affairs Council 行
政院大陸委員會.
Ma became Minister of Justice in 1993.
In that post, he directed aggressive cam-
paigns to combat corruption, vote buying
and organized crime, and he oversaw reform
of the prison system. In 1996, he was ap-
pointed Minister without Portfolio. A year
later, he became an associate professor of
law at National Chengchi University 國立政
治大學.
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3. In 1998, Ma won the race for mayor In international affairs, the administra-
of Taipei City, and four years later won tion has been pursuing a policy of viable
re-election by a landslide. In 2005 he was diplomacy 活路外交, which aims to redirect
elected Chairman of the KMT, and in early resources expended on diplomatic rivalry
2007 announced his candidacy for the presi- with mainland China to other causes of ben-
dency. Campaigning on a platform to rejuve- efit to humanity. As a result, the ROC has
nate the economy, build a clean government seen many breakthroughs on the internation-
and improve relations with mainland China, al front. The nation joined the World Trade
he was elected the following year with 58.5 Organization’s Government Procurement
percent of the vote. Agreement in 2009, for example, and has
In his inaugural speech on May 20, been invited to attend meetings of the World
2008, President Ma pledged to create a Health Assembly since 2009. Additionally,
more open and just society with expanded the number of countries and territories ex-
opportunity for the underprivileged. Not tending visa-free or landing visa privileges
long after taking office, the president was to ROC nationals has climbed from 53 when
met with a severe economic recession. The Ma entered office to 124 as of October 2011.
administration took swift response measures Domestically, the president has initiated
that included issuing a blanket bank deposit wide-ranging reforms designed to build
guarantee and lowering interest rates seven a more competitive nation. In 2010, local
times. Stimulus programs were also adopted governments were restructured to raise the
to create jobs, expand public infrastructure
number of special municipalities from two
and spur private investment. Consequently,
to five, further integrating regional resources
Taiwan was well-positioned for the global
to improve efficiency and citizens’ quality of
recovery that unfolded starting late 2009.
life. In 2011, a second-generation National
Economic growth hit a 24-year high of
Health Insurance system was approved in
10.82 percent in 2010, and per capita GDP
order to achieve greater efficiency, equity
is forecast to surpass US$20,000 in 2011.
and quality. Meanwhile, steps are being
In cross-strait relations, President Ma has taken to reduce the number of Cabinet-level
energetically promoted dialogue with main- agencies from 37 to 29 beginning January 2012.
land China. Since May 2008, the two sides
have concluded 15 agreements covering a With the ROC celebrating its centennial,
wide range of concerns, including direct President Ma in his 2011 New Year’s Day
transport, financial supervisory cooperation, address declared his administration’s com-
mutual judicial assistance, and medical and mitment to lead the nation into a prosperous
health care. In particular, the Cross-Straits second century, with emphasis on maintain-
Economic Cooperation Framework Agree- ing peace, providing humanitarian aid, and
ment 海峽兩岸經濟合作架構協議 is expected creating new technologies and business op-
to usher in greater prosperity for both sides. portunities. In laying a firm foundation for
This new model of cooperation has helped the future, the ROC will become a nation
set a sound foundation for lasting peace in that is respected by the world and an inspi-
the region. ration to many.
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4. Vincent C. Siew 蕭萬長
V
incent C. Siew was born on Janu-
ary 3, 1939 in Chiayi City 嘉義
市, Taiwan. He graduated from
Vice President National Chengchi University’s
Republic of China (Taiwan) 國立政治大學 Department of Diplomacy in
1961, earned a master’s degree from the same
institution in international law and diplomacy
in 1965, and was awarded an Eisenhower Fel-
lowship for study in the United States in 1985.
Siew joined the Ministry of Foreign Af-
fairs in 1962, but after the ROC was forced
to withdraw from the United Nations in
1971, he shifted his focus to economic af-
fairs, convinced that the nation would need
to rely on economic strength to hold its own
in the international community.
As Director-General of the Bureau of
Foreign Trade 經濟部國際貿易局 (1982-1988),
Minister of Economic Affairs (1990-1993)
and Chairman of the Council for Economic
Planning and Development 行政院經濟建設
委員會 (1993-1994), Siew negotiated most-
favored nation status with the United States
and pushed through public projects that
boosted economic development. In 1993 and
1994, he represented President Lee Teng-hui
李登輝 at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
summit meetings in Seattle and Jakarta be-
fore being appointed in December 1994 as
Chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council
行政院大陸委員會. In that position he initiated
a series of measures to improve relations
between Taiwan and mainland China.
After being elected as a legislator in
1995, Siew organized a cross-party caucus
on legislation to facilitate Taiwan’s bid to
join the World Trade Organization. When
appointed Premier in August 1997, he was
dubbed the “Commoner Premier” by the
media because he comes from a farming
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5. family. In 2000, he was chosen as running vouchers, cuts in inheritance and gift taxes,
mate to Kuomintang (KMT) 中國國民黨 and promotion of the development of
presidential candidate Lien Chan 連戰, but emerging and service industries. And be-
the ticket lost due to a split in the KMT. tween January and May 2009, he chaired six
Roundtable Conferences for Cultural and
Siew’s premiership coincided with the
Creative Industries 文化創意產業圓桌論壇 to
1997-1998 Asian financial crisis and a devas-
build consensuses on policies.
tating earthquake that struck central Taiwan
on September 21, 1999. Under his leader- Further, the Vice President serves as
ship, Taiwan weathered the financial crisis convener of the Presidential Office Human
far better than its neighbors, while suffering Rights Consultative Committee 總統府人權諮
from the earthquake was kept to a minimum. 詢委員會, established on December 10, 2010,
After leaving public office, Siew lectured Human Rights Day, and oversees arrange-
at universities and devoted himself to civic ments for a year-long series of activities in
affairs. Inspired by the European Union, he celebration of the ROC Centennial in 2011.
founded the Cross-Straits Common Market In areas of vital importance to Taiwan’s
Foundation (CSCMF) 兩岸共同市場基金會 in future, Vice President Siew has striven to
2001 to promote systemization of trade rela- promote normalization of economic and
tions between Taiwan and mainland China. trade relations across the Taiwan Strait.
In 2003, then President Chen Shui-bian 陳 These efforts were rewarded when, in June
水扁 recruited Siew to chair the Presidential 2010, Taiwan signed the Cross-Straits Eco-
Economic Advisory Panel 總統經濟顧問小組. nomic Cooperation Framework Agreement
In that capacity he helped stabilize the econ- 海峽兩岸經濟合作架構協議 with mainland Chi-
omy in the aftermath of the SARS epidemic. na. Meanwhile, he also endeavors to help
In June 2007, KMT presidential candi- formulate strategies for pursuing free trade
date Ma Ying-jeou tapped Siew as his run- agreements with other trade partners.
ning mate, and the pair won the March 22, The nation is fortunate that a man of such
2008 election by a landslide. In April, in his caliber stands by the President to help guide
capacity as CSCMF Chairman, Siew attend- the nation through some of the most chal-
ed the Boao Forum for Asia, where he and lenging economic conditions seen in decades.
mainland Chinese leader Hu Jintao 胡錦濤
exchanged views on the future of relations
across the Taiwan Strait. This “ice-breaking”
trip helped pave the way for lively cross-
strait interaction.
When the global financial crisis erupted
in 2008, Vice President Siew led the Finan-
cial and Economic Advisory Task Force
of the Presidential Office 總統府財經諮詢小
組 in developing strategies for responding
to it, including the issuance of consumer
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6. B
Wu Den-yih 吳敦義 orn in Nantou County’s 南投縣
Caotun Township 草屯鎮 in cen-
tral Taiwan in 1948, Wu Den-yih
Premier was appointed the nation’s chief
Republic of China (Taiwan) executive officer on September 10, 2009 on
the strength of his wealth of experience gar-
nered from 36 years in public service. Most
recently, he has served as a legislator as well
as vice chairman and secretary-general of
the Kuomintang 中國國民黨. Over the years,
he has gained a reputation for decisiveness in
framing and executing policies based on a firm
grasp of people’s real needs and aspirations.
Wu’s well-known talent for articulate,
impassioned expression was evident in his
student days at National Taiwan University
(NTU) 國立臺灣大學, where he majored in
history. An essay he penned for publication
in the student periodical University News 大
學新聞, which he headed from 1968 to 1969,
prompted the future ROC President Chiang
Ching-kuo 蔣經國 to urge him to “serve the
people and the nation.”
Taking these words to heart, after gradu-
ating from NTU in 1970 and completing his
military service, he worked as a journalist
and editorial writer for the China Times 中國
時報 (1971-1973), where he became known
for his insightful commentary. And at age
25, he stood for and won a seat in the Taipei
City Council (1973-1983), becoming its
youngest member.
As a councilman, Wu was resolute in
holding fellow politicians and public ser-
vants to a high standard of integrity. With
respect to misconduct by a certain city of-
ficial, for example, he asserted that bending
the law is even more reprehensible than cor-
ruption. As he has often done in his political
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7. career, Wu cited an ancient historical work government became the first local govern-
in support of his contention that although ment to institute a subsidized “nutritious
secretly taking bribes violates the law, the lunch” program covering all elementary and
law nevertheless survives; whereas when of- junior high schools and to provide financial
ficials publicly manipulate the law with im- assistance to single parents.
punity, the law dies. The mayor and future
As the nation enters its 100th year, Pre-
president, Lee Teng-hui 李登輝, agreed and
mier Wu has declared that some of the top
disciplined the official in question.
priorities of his Cabinet include economic
Wu’s direct, energetic style of keeping innovation, workforce cultivation, carbon
informed and resolving problems is illus- reduction, governance enhancement, and
trated by his practice, both as Nantou County safeguarding citizens’ rights to a fair and
magistrate (1981-1989) and as Kaohsiung just society. On the last topic, underscoring
高雄市 mayor (1990-1998), of throwing his his commitment to promoting the welfare of
doors open to the public once a week. If ac- the common person, the premier has direct-
companying government department heads ed government agencies to step up efforts to
failed to provide clear answers to citizens’ increase employment and raise salary lev-
questions or propose satisfactory solutions to els, provide affordable housing, encourage
their problems, he took the initiative to do so. young people to start families, improve care
for the elderly, and narrow the gap between
Further illustrating his penchant for
rich and poor.
openness and direct interaction with the
people he works for and with, Wu knew Keenly aware that Taiwan cannot hope
most borough chiefs by name within a short to pursue such domestic goals in isolation
time of becoming Kaohsiung mayor, and he from global problems—including the ex-
sometimes went out to meet with borough acerbation of natural disasters by climate
residents to discuss issues of special impor- change, the cross-border spread of poten-
tance. This proved invaluable, for example, tially lethal diseases, and instabilities in
in the implementation of vital infrastructure the global financial system—Premier Wu
programs such as the construction of waste has also stressed the imperative for all gov-
incinerators or laying down water mains. ernment departments to remain abreast of
changing global trends, thereby enabling
Wu has frequently demonstrated his re-
Taiwan to advance the common good
solve to safeguard the welfare of people un-
of humanity.
der his care. The quarrying activities of two
cement companies within the Kaohsiung
City limits, for instance, had for many years
caused severe pollution. Despite the pollut-
ers’ influential social connections, Mayor
Wu’s uncompromising effort to shut them
down was finally successful. And under
his forceful leadership, the Kaohsiung City
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