Shu Chin-chiang (Chinese: 蘇進強; pinyin: Sū Jìnqiáng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: So͘ Chìn-kiông; born 5 April 1953) is a Taiwanese novelist and politician. His pen name is "Lu Jiang" (履彊). He joined the Taiwan Solidarity Union in 2001 and served as party chairman from 2005 to 2006 before he was expelled in 2014 for renouncing Taiwanese independence.
Shu Chin-chiang | |
|---|---|
| 蘇進強 | |
 Shu in 2014 | |
| Chairman of Taiwan Solidarity Union | |
| In office 10 January 2005 – 25 December 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Huang Chu-wen Huang Chung-yuan (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Lin Chih-chia (acting) Huang Kun-huei |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 April 1953 Baozhong, Yunlin, Taiwan |
| Nationality | Republic of China |
| Political party | Taiwan Solidarity Union (2001-2014) |
| Alma mater | R.O.C. Military Academy National Defense University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Soldier Novelist |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Republic of China |
| Branch/service |  Republic of China Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
Political career
editShu was a military analyst at Nanhua University before being named a spokesman for the National Security Council.[1][2] He then served as the secretary-general of the National Cultural Association.[3] Upon the founding of the Taiwan Solidarity Union in August 2001, Shu was named party spokesperson and secretary-general.[4][5]
TSU Chairmanship
editIn December 2004, Shu was reported as a possible candidate for the TSU chairmanship.[6][7] Later that month, Shu officially declared his candidacy for the party chairmanship.[8] Shu stepped down from his position at the National Cultural Association, where he was replaced by Tchen Yu-chiou, to declare his candidacy for the office.[3]
Though an election was planned,[9] the Taiwan Solidarity Union's central executive committee directly appointed Shu to the chairmanship on 10 January 2005.[10]
Yasukuni Shrine visit controversy
editIn April 2005, Shu visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Japan, incurring much criticism in Taiwan, as the shrine has posts for World War II war criminals.[11] However, Shu said that his visit was not an endorsement of Japanese militarism, but an attempt to memorialize Taiwanese soldiers who had died while serving the Japanese during the era of occupation.[12]
Shu resigned the party chairmanship on 25 December 2006, to take responsibility for the TSU's poor showing in the municipal elections.[13]
Post-chairmanship
edit2014 visit to mainland China
editIn February 2014, Shu and delegates led by Kuomintang Honorary Chairman Lien Chan, visited Beijing for three days, where they met with the head of Taiwan Affairs Office Zhang Zhijun and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping. During the visit, Shu endorsed Lien as a champion for promoting cross-strait dialogue and advised the Democratic Progressive Party to seize this opportunity for change and to drop Taiwanese independence as a core value. His actions were viewed as seriously violating the core values of the TSU, and he was expelled from the party for making the trip to China.[14]
New Homeland Think Tank Association
editIn 2023, Shu became chief executive officer of the New Homeland Think Tank Association, an organization affiliated with the Taiwan People's Party.[15]
References
edit- ^ "President Chen garners support from military". Taipei Times. July 17, 2000. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "Council hires more staff". Taipei Times. August 2, 2003. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ a b "Tchen to lead association". Taipei Times. January 19, 2005. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Tsai, Ting-i (August 1, 2001). "Taiwan Solidarity Union files official papers". Taipei Times. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^ Lin, Chieh-yu (August 24, 2001). "Lee Teng-hui plans to attend TSU rally with 'secret guest'". Taipei Times. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^ Huang, Jewel (December 28, 2004). "Taiwan Solidarity Union announces temporary chairman". Taipei Times. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Huang, Jewel (December 17, 2004). "Change of the guard for TSU as losers vie for jobs". Taipei Times. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "TSU hopeful signs up". Taipei Times. December 31, 2004. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Huang, Jewel (January 6, 2005). "Lo Chih-ming drops out of TSU chairmanship race". Taipei Times. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Huang, Jewel (January 11, 2005). "Su Chin-chiang takes over as chairman of the TSU". Taipei Times. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "TSU head visits controversial shrine". Taipei Times. Agence France Presse. April 5, 2005. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Huang, Jewel (April 7, 2005). "Japan trip not a tribute to militarism: Shu". Taipei Times. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ "Shu Chin-chiang decides to quit as chairman of TSU". Taipei Times. December 25, 2006. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Su, Jung-yao; Pan, Jason (March 5, 2014). "TSU expels former chairman, revokes party membership". Taipei Times. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ Huang, Ching-yu; Madjar, Kayleigh (January 21, 2023). "Ko to visit US for TPP, head think tank". Taipei Times. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
