Cheng Wen-tsan
{{Short description|Vice Premier of Taiwan (ROC) from 2023 to 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Cheng|lang=Chinese}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Cheng Wen-tsan
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|zh-hant|鄭文燦}}}}
| image = 210px
| caption = Official portrait, 2023
| office1 = 9th Chairperson of the Straits Exchange Foundation
| term_start1 = 7 June 2024
| term_end1 = 7 July 2024
| president1 = Lai Ching-te
| deputy1 = Luo Wen-jia
Rock Hsu
| predecessor1 = David Lee
| successor1 = {{ill|Rock Hsu|zh|許勝雄 (1943年)}} (acting)
Frank Wu
| office2 = 39th Vice Premier of the Republic of China
| term_start2 = 31 January 2023
| term_end2 = 20 May 2024
| status2 =
| premier2 = Chen Chien-jen
| predecessor2 = Shen Jong-chin
| successor2 = Cheng Li-chun
| order3 = 1st
| office3 = Mayor of Taoyuan
| deputy3 = Chiu Tai-san
| term_start3 = 25 December 2014
| term_end3 = 25 December 2022
| predecessor3 = Position established{{Efn|John Wu as Magistrate of Taoyuan County}}
| successor3 = Chang San-cheng
| office4 = Head of Taoyuan Chapter of the
Democratic Progressive Party
| term_start4 = 25 December 2009
| term_end4 = 5 July 2014
| 1blankname4 = Chairperson
| 1namedata4 = {{list collapsed|title=See list|Tsai Ing-wen
Chen Chu
Su Tseng-chang
Tsai Ing-wen}}
| predecessor4 = Chen Chih-mou
| successor4 = Chen Lai Su-mei
| office5 = 23rd Minister of the Government Information Office
| term_start5 = 25 January 2006
| term_end5 = 20 April 2007
| premier5 = Su Tseng-chang
| predecessor5 = Pasuya Yao
| successor5 = Yi Rong-zong {{small|(acting)}}
Shieh Jhy-wey
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1967|7|6}}
| birth_place = Bade, Taoyuan County, Taiwan (now Bade District, Taoyuan City)
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Democratic Progressive Party
| spouse =
| education = National Taiwan University (BA)
}}
Cheng Wen-tsan ({{zh|t=鄭文燦|w=Chêng4 Wên2-tsʻan4|p=Zhèng Wéncàn}}; born 6 July 1967) is a Taiwanese politician who has served as the vice premier of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2023 to 2024 and chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation briefly in 2024. A member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), he was the first mayor of the newly established Taoyuan special municipality, serving from 2014 to 2022.
Early life and education
Born in present-day Bade District, Taoyuan City, Cheng grew up with 6 siblings and took an after-school job in neighboring Yingge. His father was a civil servant in the Taoyuan government.{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Jung-ping|title=「給阿嬤的壓歲錢」 鄭文燦談貧困中打拚|url=https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/local/paper/350918|accessdate=24 November 2023|work=Liberty Times|date=15 November 2009|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518232557/https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/local/paper/350918|url-status=live}} After attending Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School, Cheng received his bachelor's degree from the Department of Sociology and master's degree from the Graduate Institute of National Development of National Taiwan University (NTU),{{cite news|title=The New Cabinet|url=http://taiwantoday.tw/fp.asp?xItem=1186&CtNode=2196|accessdate=11 May 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=1 March 2006|archive-date=6 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806134246/http://taiwantoday.tw/fp.asp?xItem=1186&CtNode=2196|url-status=live}} though his master's degree was later rescinded on plagiarism allegations. During his time at NTU, he was founding president of NTU Student Press (臺大學生報社) and was elected vice president of the student association.{{cite news|last=Lin|first=Yi|title=鄭文燦丟了台大碩士 學歷剩什麼？答案曝光仍完爆林智堅|url=https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20221202004672-260405?chdtv|accessdate=24 November 2023|work=China Times|date=2 December 2022|archive-date=24 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124162339/https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20221202004672-260405?chdtv|url-status=live}}
Entry into politics
Cheng played a key role in the Wild Lily student movement in 1990.{{cite news|last=Cheung|first=Han|title=Taiwan in Time: Life after the Wild Lily|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2018/03/11/2003689059|access-date=8 April 2022|work=Taipei Times|date=11 March 2018|archive-date=28 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328162719/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2018/03/11/2003689059|url-status=live}}
In 1998, Cheng was elected into the Taoyuan County legislature at the age of 30,{{cite news|last=Yo|first=Hao-yu|title=鄭文燦在義光長老教會分享「人生的轉折點」 致力讓桃園成為更好的城市！|url=https://congressnews.net/archives/16565|access-date=24 November 2023|work=Congress News|date=27 March 2022|archive-date=24 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124162348/https://congressnews.net/archives/16565|url-status=live}} receiving the most votes out of all candidates.
In the early 2000s, Cheng worked for the DPP's Information and Culture Department.{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Yun-Ping|title=At 17 years of age, is DPP ship adrift?|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/09/29/2003069699|access-date=11 September 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=29 September 2003|archive-date=7 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307054412/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/09/29/2003069699|url-status=live}} From January 2006 to April 2007, he served as minister of the Government Information Office as part of the first cabinet led by Su Tseng-chang.{{cite news |last1=Chuang |first1=Jimmy |title=Premier Su enjoys busy first morning in his new office |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/01/27/2003290913 |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=Taipei Times |date=27 January 2006 |archive-date=10 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310231146/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/01/27/2003290913 |url-status=live }} Cheng resigned from the GIO in April 2007, after vice premier Tsai Ing-wen concluded an investigation into Cheng's influence during a sale of shares in a media company.{{cite news |last1=Chuang |first1=Jimmy |title=Premier accepts resignation of GIO minister |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/04/04/2003355189 |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=Taipei Times |date=4 April 2007 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009015502/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/04/04/2003355189 |url-status=live }}
Cheng joined the 2009 Taoyuan County magistrate election under the DPP banner on 5 December 2009. However, he lost to Kuomintang opponent John Wu.{{cite news |author1=邱俊欽 |title=吳志揚贏得不輕鬆 桃園藍綠板塊拉近 |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/ch/news/1125472 |access-date=2 July 2022 |work=Taiwan News |agency=Central News Agency |date=5 December 2009 |language=zh |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702102340/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/ch/news/1125472 |url-status=live }}
Mayor of Taoyuan City (2014–2022)
Cheng was elected mayor of Taoyuan City after winning the 2014 mayoral election held on 29 November 2014, defeating incumbent Kuomintang (KMT) magistrate John Wu, to whom Cheng lost in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201411300006.aspx|title=DPP's Cheng Wen-tsan scores upset victory in Taoyuan election|work=focustaiwan.tw|date=30 November 2014|access-date=30 November 2014|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325130046/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201411300006.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Shan|first1=Shelley Shan|title=2014 ELECTIONS: KMT's John Wu loses Taoyuan re-election bid|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/11/30/2003605634|accessdate=10 December 2014|work=Taipei Times|date=30 November 2014|archive-date=10 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210210728/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/11/30/2003605634|url-status=live}} Following the election, Cheng appointed Chiu Tai-san and Wang Ming-teh as deputy mayors of Taoyuan.{{cite news|last1=Lo|first1=Chi-hao James|title=DPP mayors-elect finalize early cabinet list|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2014/12/16/424195/DPP-mayors-elect.htm|accessdate=28 February 2016|work=China Post|date=16 December 2014|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306094404/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2014/12/16/424195/DPP-mayors-elect.htm|url-status=live}}
In April 2017, Cheng's rib was fractured after he was attacked by protesters outside Legislative Yuan who opposed a pension system reform bill.{{cite news|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201704240026.aspx|date=24 April 2017|first1=Kui-hsiang|last1=Wen|first2=S.C.|last2=Chang|title=Taoyuan mayor gets broken ribs during April 19 legislative melee|publisher=Focus Taiwan|accessdate=25 April 2017}} Cheng did not press charges against the perpetrator citing his belief in democratic politics.{{cite news|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/04/26/2003669435|date=26 April 2017|first1=Hsiao-kuang|last1=Shih|title=Taoyuan Mayor says no charges for protesters|work=Taipei Times|accessdate=27 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427192930/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/04/26/2003669435|url-status=live}}
In the 2018 elections, Cheng defeated KMT contender Apollo Chen and three independent candidates to win a second term as mayor of Taoyuan.{{cite news |last1=Shan |first1=Shelley |title=2018 ELECTIONS: Taoyuan Mayor Cheng defeats four challengers |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2018/11/25/2003704896 |accessdate=25 November 2018 |work=Taipei Times |date=25 November 2018 |archive-date=24 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124222705/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2018/11/25/2003704896 |url-status=live }}
In October 2022, New Party city council candidate publicly alleged that Cheng had committed plagiarism or hired a ghostwriter to write his master's thesis at NTU. After an investigation by the university, Cheng's thesis was revoked and master's degree rescinded.{{cite news |last1=Lu |first1=Hsin-chih |title=確定了！鄭文燦論文抄襲遭撤學位 台大證實：已函報教育部 |url=https://news.tvbs.com.tw/amp/life/1979461 |accessdate=24 November 2023 |work=TVBS |date=2 December 2022 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208190900/https://news.tvbs.com.tw/amp/life/1979461 |url-status=live }}
Post-mayoralty career
Cheng was elected to chair the Chinese Taipei Football Association in October 2022, following the resignation of Chiou I-jen in August of that year.{{cite news |last1=Pan |first1=Jason |title=Taoyuan mayor becomes CTFA head |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2022/10/09/2003786713 |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=Taipei Times |date=9 October 2022 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009013747/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2022/10/09/2003786713 |url-status=live }}
= Vice-premiership (2023–2024) =
In January 2023, Premier Chen Chien-jen appointed Cheng as vice premier as part of his new cabinet.{{cite news|last=Wen|first=Kuai-hsiang|title=陳建仁組閣 鄭文燦內定副院長 林右昌掌內政部|url=https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202301250183.aspx|access-date=24 November 2023|work=CNA|date=25 January 2023|archive-date=11 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511050108/https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202301250183.aspx|url-status=live}}
Bribery allegations
In July 2024, Taiwanese authorities announced an investigation into Cheng on suspicion of bribery.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-06 |title=Taiwan probes senior official who deals with China over bribery suspicions |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/taiwan-probes-senior-official-who-deals-with-china-over-bribery-suspicions-/7687652.html |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Voice of America |language=en |agency=Reuters |archive-date=2024-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706165222/https://www.voanews.com/a/taiwan-probes-senior-official-who-deals-with-china-over-bribery-suspicions-/7687652.html |url-status=live }} Cheng stepped down as chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation on 7 July,{{cite news |last1=Yeh |first1=Sophia |last2=Wu |first2=Po-wei |last3=Wu |first3=Kuan-hsien |title=Former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan steps down as SEF chair |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202407070005 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=7 July 2024}} with {{ill|Rock Hsu|zh|許勝雄 (1943年)}} succeeding Cheng in an acting capacity.{{cite news |last1=Lai |first1=Sunny |title=Rock Hsu appointed acting SEF chairman: MAC |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202407180016 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=18 July 2024}}
After a series of bail hearings,see: {{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Shih-yi |last2=Yeh |first2=Su-ping |last3=Kao |first3=Evelyn |title=Bail for former Taoyuan mayor overturned by High Court |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202407080019 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency}} {{cite news |last1=Wu |first1=Jui-chi |last2=Wu |first2=Kuan-hsien |title=District court again grants bail to ex-vice premier accused of corruption |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202407090012 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=9 July 2024}} {{cite news |last1=Wu |first1=Jui-chi |last2=Wu |first2=Kuan-hsien |title=District court again grants bail to ex-vice premier accused of corruption (update) |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202407090021 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=9 July 2024}} {{cite news |last1=Hsieh |first1=Hsin-an |last2=Kao |first2=Evelyn |title=High court revokes bail for former vice premier a second time |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202407100022 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=10 July 2024}} Cheng was detained for two months without visitation rights for a period of two months on July 12.{{cite news |last1=Yeh |first1=Chen |last2=Kao |first2=Evelyn |title=Court orders detention of ex-vice premier over corruption allegations |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202407110015 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=11 July 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Shih-yi |last2=Lai |first2=Sunny |title=High court rejects former vice premier's appeal against detention |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202407120027 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=12 July 2024}} The Democratic Progressive Party, of which Cheng is a member, suspended him from holding public office for three years.{{Cite web |last=中央通訊社 |date=2024-07-11 |title=鄭文燦疑涉貪收押禁見 民進黨廉政會：12日起停權3年 {{!}} 政治 |url=https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202407110337.aspx |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Central News Agency |language=zh}} The Taoyuan District Prosecutors' Office indicted Cheng on charges of corruption on 27 August 2024.{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Flor |last2=Yeh |first2=Chen |title=12 years sought for ex-vice premier in bribery case |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202408270034 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=27 August 2024}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Ex-vice premier faces bribe charge |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/08/28/2003822882 |access-date=28 August 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=28 August 2024}} He was released on bail of NT$28 million the following day.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=James |last2=Yeh |first2=Chen |title=Former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan released on NT$28 million bail |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202408280005 |access-date=28 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=28 August 2024}}
Honors
- 2024 Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Flor |last2=Wen |first2=Kuei-shang |title=Outgoing President Tsai honors VP Lai, 12 other officials |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202405130017 |access-date=14 May 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=14 May 2024 |archive-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514062452/https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202405130017 |url-status=live }}
Notes
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References
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External links
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{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=John Wu|as=Magistrate of Taoyuan County}}
{{s-ttl|title=Mayor of Taoyuan|years=2014–2022}}
{{s-aft|after=Chang San-cheng}}
{{s-bef|before=Shen Jong-chin}}
{{s-ttl|title=Vice Premier of the Republic of China|years=2023–2024}}
{{s-aft|after=Cheng Li-chun}}
{{s-end}}
{{Vice premiers of the Republic of China}}
{{Executive Yuan Officials|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheng, Wen-tsan}}
Category:Mayors of Taoyuan City
Category:People from Bade District
Category:Democratic Progressive Party (Taiwan) politicians
Category:Vice premiers of the Republic of China on Taiwan
Category:Government ministers of Taiwan