Chen Shui-bian

Date of Birth: October 12, 1950

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

Chen Shui-bian is a Taiwanese statesman who served as the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2000 to 2008. He was the first president from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and marked a significant shift in Taiwan’s political landscape, which had been dominated by the Kuomintang (KMT) for decades. Born into a poor farming family, Chen excelled in his studies and went on to earn a law degree from National Taiwan University. Prior to his presidency, he served as the mayor of Taipei and a legislator. His tenure as president was marked by efforts to assert Taiwan’s separate identity from China, which led to significant tensions with Beijing. His political career was also marred by corruption charges, and in 2009, he was convicted and sentenced to prison, though he was released on medical parole in 2015.

5 Interesting Facts about Chen Shui-bian

1. Chen Shui-bian was the first president of Taiwan from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

2. He was the mayor of Taipei before becoming president.

3. Chen earned his law degree from National Taiwan University, where he graduated top of his class.

4. His presidency was marked by a push for Taiwan’s independence, which strained relations with China.

5. Chen was sentenced to prison for corruption in 2009 but was released on medical parole in 2015.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Chen Shui-bian

1. “Taiwan is Taiwan, China is China, and Taiwan is not a part of China.”

2. “Democracy is the common language of the world.”

3. “Only through democracy can we find the true meaning of freedom.”

4. “We must stand up for ourselves, for our sovereignty, and for our future.”

5. “The will of the people is the foundation of our nation.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Chen Shui-bian’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but there were significant controversies and legal cases regarding his family’s finances.