Frida Tsai
{{Short description|Taiwanese activist, biotechnologist, and politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Frida Tsai
| native_name = {{nobold|蔡培慧}}
| native_name_lang = zh-tw
| honorific-suffix = MLY
| image =
| imagesize =
| smallimage = 蔡培慧委員.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2023
| office1 = Member of the Legislative Yuan
| status1 =
| constituency1 = Nantou II
| term_start1 = 13 March 2023
| term_end1 = 31 January 2024
| predecessor1 = Hsu Shu-hua
| successor1 = Yu Hao
| constituency2 = Party-list (Democratic Progressive Party)
| term_start2 = 1 February 2016
| term_end2 = 31 January 2020
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|9|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = Yuchi, Nantou, Taiwan
| death_place =
| death_date =
| party = Democratic Progressive Party
| otherparty =
| nationality = Taiwanese
| profession =
| education = Chihlee University of Technology (BS)
Shih Hsin University (MS)
National Taiwan University (PhD)
}}
Tsai Pei-hui ({{zh|p=Cài Péihuì|t=蔡培慧}}; born 2 September 1971), also known by her English name Frida Tsai, is a Taiwanese politician, biotechnologist, and activist. She served in the Legislative Yuan from 2016 to 2020, contested the Nantou County magistracy later that year, and in 2023, was reelected to the Legislative Yuan. She lost election the following year to Yu Hao.
Early life and education
Tsai was born on 2 September 1971 and was raised by her grandparents in Yuchi, Nantou.{{cite news|last1=Ho|first1=Yi|title=A country child returns home|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2013/10/01/2003573407|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=1 October 2013}}{{cite news |title=2號 蔡培慧 |url=https://election.ltn.com.tw/2020/legislator/candidates/Nantou/247 |access-date=14 September 2022 |work=Liberty Times |language=zh}} As a teen, she moved to Taipei to live with her parents and was educated at Taipei Municipal Shilin Commercial Vocational School. After graduating from Chihlee University of Technology, she earned a master's degree in psychology at Shih Hsin University and earned her Ph.D. in biotechnology from National Taiwan University.{{cite news|title=Tsai Pei-hui (9)|url=http://www.ly.gov.tw/en/03_leg/legIntro.action?lgno=00091&stage=9|accessdate=17 July 2017|agency=Legislative Yuan}} She then taught at Shih Hsin University.{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=I-chia|title=After nine hours, still no verdict on Kuokuang's EIA|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/04/22/2003501382/2|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=22 April 2011}}{{cite news|last1=Chung|first1=Li-hua|title=Taiwan's ageing farmers struggle to earn a living|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/04/10/2003500383|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=10 April 2011}}
Activism
Tsai is an active member of the Taiwan Rural Front, serving as the group's spokesperson.{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=Farmers protest forced land grab|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/07/17/2003478138|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=17 July 2010}}{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=Siangsihliao farmers win land reprieve|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2010/07/31/2003479253|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=31 July 2010}} In this position, she was critical of the agricultural policies supported by the Ma Ying-jeou administration,{{cite news|last1=Chung|first1=Li-hua|title=Agricultural incomes reach lowest in five years: DGBAS report|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/09/06/2003512571/1|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=6 September 2011}}{{cite news|last1=Hung|first1=Su-ching|last2=Huang|first2=Yi-ching|title=COA staff say it is 'unreasonable' for them to monitor TV|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/07/01/2003536692|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=1 July 2012}} describing the Land Expropriation Act in particular as "a tool for land developers and speculators."{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=Farming activists say Wu 'insincere'|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/07/14/2003508200|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=14 July 2011}} Tsai has led multiple protests as part of her advocacy for farmers' rights.{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=Farmers, activists protest against globalization|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/02/04/2003554177|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=4 February 2013}}{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=Miaoli activists protest against arrests|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/09/15/2003572188|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=15 September 2013}} In 2013, she mobilized a few hundred people to occupy the Executive Yuan, after the Miaoli County Government announced that it would repurpose land belonging to four families in Zhunan Township.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Protesters occupy government building|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/08/20/2003570116|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=20 August 2013}}{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=Dapu protesters, police clash, as Wu calls a halt|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/07/05/2003566377|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=5 July 2013}} After the Sunflower Student Movement of April 2014, Tsai cofounded the Taiwan Citizen Union and {{ill|Taiwan March|zh|島國前進}} with protest organizers.{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=Taiwan Citizen Union is approved|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/07/10/2003594773|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=10 July 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Sunflower leaders to form new activist organization|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/05/19/2003590698|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=19 May 2014}}
Political career
In November 2015, the Democratic Progressive Party announced that Tsai had been placed on its party list for the January 2016 legislative elections.{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=List of candidates demonstrates DPP ready to lead: Wu|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/11/12/2003632278|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=12 November 2015}} She was subsequently elected to the Legislative Yuan via proportional representation.{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Hsiao-ti|title=DPP threatens to boycott disputed bills|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/02/01/2003638563|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=1 February 2016}} In June, Tsai was invited to participate in a tribunal called to review cases under the purview of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.{{cite news|last1=Gerber|first1=Abraham|title=Activists plan housing tribunal|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/06/30/2003650039/1|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=30 June 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Gerber|first1=Abraham|title=Civil rights groups host international tribunal on eviction|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/07/03/2003650247|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=3 July 2016}} During her legislative tenure, Tsai proposed amendments to the Animal Protection Act that require permits to be issued before animals can perform in public.{{cite news|last1=Yu|first1=Chao-fu|last2=Chen|first2=Yu-fu|last3=Lee|first3=Li-fa|last4=Chung|first4=Jake|title=Dog and cat meat diners should face fines: lawmaker|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/06/02/2003647701|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=2 June 2016}} She has also cosponsored an amendment to the Housing Act differentiating between property and residency rights.{{cite news|last1=Gerber|first1=Abraham|title=Rights advocates call for Housing Act amendment|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/10/20/2003657547|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=20 October 2016}} Tsai became founding leader of the Taiwan-Italy Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association within the Legislative Yuan in December 2016.{{cite news|last1=Pan|first1=Jason|title=Lawmaker touts Italian trade at association launch|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/12/10/2003660924|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=10 December 2016}} Tsai faced Ma Wen-chun in Nantou County's second district during the 2020 legislative elections.{{cite news |last1=Kuan |first1=Rui-ping |last2=Hsiao |first2=Po-yang |last3=Chiang |first3=Yi-ching |last4=Wu |first4=Che-hao |last5=Yeh |first5=Joseph |title=2020 Elections: Tight races seen in Miaoli, Nantou, Yunlin, Changhua |url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201912010007.aspx |accessdate=1 December 2019 |agency=Central News Agency |date=1 December 2019}} Tsai was nominated Democratic Progressive Party candidate for the Nantou County magistracy during the 2022 local election cycle.{{cite news |last1=Pan |first1=Jason |title=DPP local candidates praise virtues of 'Women Power' |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2022/09/09/2003785027 |access-date=14 September 2022 |work=Taipei Times |date=9 September 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Sean |last2=Hsiao |first2=Po-yang |title=Taiwan slams barring of beauty queen from Malaysia tech event stage |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202209140009 |agency=Central News Agency |date=14 September 2022}} After losing the election to Hsu Shu-hua,{{cite news |last1=Lo |first1=James |title=ELECTIONS 2022/KMT's Hsu Shu-hua claims victory in Nantou County magistrate race |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202211260022 |access-date=27 December 2022 |agency=Central News Agency |date=26 November 2022}} Tsai was a candidate for the by-election to fill Hsu's legislative seat.{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Chun-hua |last2=Kao |first2=Evelyn |title=By-election for Nantou legislative seat scheduled for March 4 |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202212260006 |access-date=26 December 2022 |agency=Central News Agency |date=26 December 2022}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=By-election for Hsu's Nantou seat set for March 4 |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2022/12/27/2003791496 |access-date=27 December 2022 |work=Taipei Times |date=27 December 2022}} Tsai narrowly defeated former magistrate Lin Ming-chen,{{cite news |last1=Pan |first1=Jason |title=DPP's Tsai Pei-hui narrowly wins Nantou by-election |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/03/05/2003795509 |access-date=13 March 2023 |work=Taipei Times |date=5 March 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Kay |title=Legislative by-election in Nantou County |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202303045001 |agency=Central News Agency |date=4 March 2023}} becoming the first DPP legislator to serve the Nantou II constituency.{{cite news |last1=Hsiao |first1=Po-yang |last2=Shih |first2=Hsiu-chuan |title=DPP's Tsai Pei-hui narrowly wins Nantou legislative by-election |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202303040011 |access-date=13 March 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=3 March 2023 |quote=It also marked the DPP's first win of a legislative seat in the traditional KMT stronghold of Nantou County since Taiwan's legislative elections were first held under a single-seat district system in 2008.}}
She lost the 2024 Taiwanese legislative election to Kuomintang candidate Yu Hao.{{cite web |url=https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202401140002.aspx |title=高嘉瑜蘇治芬等12區域立委連任失利 羅明才8連霸、林岱樺7連勝 | 政治 |date=14 January 2024 }}
=Political stances=
Due to public health concerns, Tsai supports limits on the amount of genetically modified food allowed to enter the Taiwanese market,{{cite news|last1=Chen|first1=Wei-han|title=Group protests use of GM beans|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/05/19/2003646620|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=19 May 2016}} stating that imported soybeans specifically should be graded and labeled before distribution and use.{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=I-chia|title=Calls for stricter soybean classification|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/10/25/2003657890|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=25 October 2016}} Tsai also backed an increase in government funding for plant breeding research.{{cite news|last1=Shan|first1=Shelley|title=Increase plant-breeding budget, lawmaker says|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/10/19/2003657483|accessdate=17 July 2017|work=Taipei Times|date=19 October 2016}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{commons cat|Tsai Pei-hui}}
{{9th Legislative Yuan members}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsai, Frida}}
Category:Academic staff of Shih Hsin University
Category:Farmers' rights activists
Category:National Taiwan University alumni
Category:Members of the 9th Legislative Yuan
Category:Democratic Progressive Party Members of the Legislative Yuan
Category:Party List Members of the Legislative Yuan
Category:21st-century Taiwanese women politicians
Category:Taiwanese women activists