Chai Trong-rong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chai Trong-rong
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| 蔡同榮 | |
Chai Trong-rong at 2008 CIPFG Global Human Rights Torch Relay in Taiwan
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| Member of the Legislative Yuan | |
| In office February 1, 2008 – January 31, 2012 |
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| Constituency | Party-list ( Democratic Progressive Party) |
| In office December 4, 1997 – January 31, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Vincent Siew |
| Constituency | Chiayi |
| In office February 1, 1993 – January 31, 1996 |
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| Succeeded by | Vincent Siew |
| Constituency | Chiayi |
| Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party | |
| Acting 21 September 2007 – 15 October 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Yu Shyi-kun |
| Succeeded by | Yu Shyi-kun |
| 1st President of the WUFI | |
| In office 1970–1971 |
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| Succeeded by | Peng Ming-min |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 June 1935 Hotei Village, Tōseki District, Tainan Prefecture, Japanese Taiwan (modern-day Budai, Chiayi County, Taiwan) |
| Died | 11 January 2014 (aged 78) Taipei, Taiwan |
| Political party | Democratic Progressive Party |
| Spouse | Lillian Chai (m. 1963) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | National Taiwan University University of Tennessee University of Southern California |
| Occupation | Politician |
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| Traditional Chinese | 蔡同榮 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 蔡同荣 | ||||||||||||
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Chai Trong-rong (Chinese: 蔡同榮; pinyin: Cài Tóngróng; Wade–Giles: Tsʻài4 T‘ung2-jung2; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chhòa Tông-êng; June 13, 1935 – January 11, 2014), also known as Trong Chai, was an important Taiwanese politician.
He was born in Taiwan when it was under Japanese rule. Chai later earned his master's and doctorate degrees in the United States. He strongly supported democracy and helped start groups like the Association for a Plebiscite and Formosa Television.
Chai was a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). He was elected to the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's law-making body, many times. He served from 1993 to 1996 and again from 1997 to 2012. He also tried to become the leader of the DPP three times.
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Chai Trong-rong's Early Life and Schooling
Chai Trong-rong was born on June 13, 1935, in a village called Hotei in Taiwan. At that time, Taiwan was part of Japan. His father later became a local council member in Chiayi County.
Chai went to National Taiwan University to study political science, then switched to law. He graduated in 1958. After college, he served in the Taiwan Army for about sixteen months.
In 1960, Chai moved to the United States. He studied at the University of Tennessee and earned his master's degree in political science. Because he was involved in the Taiwan independence movement, he was not allowed to return to Taiwan by the ruling party at the time. He continued his studies at the University of Southern California, where he earned his doctorate in 1969. Later, in 1986, Chai became a professor of political science at the City University of New York.
Starting His Political Journey
Chai Trong-rong was very active in supporting Taiwan's future. In 1970, he helped create the World United Formosans for Independence (WUFI) and became its first president. This group worked for Taiwan to be independent.
Then, in 1982, he started another group called the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA). He was also its first president. This group worked to improve Taiwan's standing in the world.
Chai finally returned to Taiwan in June 1990 for a funeral. He joined the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) soon after. In November of that year, he founded the Association for a Plebiscite. This group aimed to bring about political changes through public votes.
Serving in the Legislature
Chai Trong-rong was elected as a legislator for Chiayi City in 1992. A legislator is like a representative who helps make laws for the country. Even though he wasn't reelected in 1995, he won again in a special election in 1997. He was then reelected in 1998, 2001, and 2004.
During his time in the Legislative Yuan, Chai worked on committees dealing with national defense, overseas Taiwanese affairs, and foreign relations. He supported policies that promoted Taiwan's unique identity. For example, in 2005, he asked the Ministry of Education to remove certain phrases from school workbooks that promoted Chinese nationalism. He also helped propose a law to prevent Taiwan from being taken over by another country.
Running for Party Leader
Chai Trong-rong tried to become the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) several times.
First Attempt in 1996
In 1996, Chai ran for the DPP chairmanship but lost. Even though a famous scientist supported him, he didn't win.
Second Attempt in 2005-2006
When the DPP chairperson resigned in 2005, Chai decided to run again. He was the first person to sign up for the election. He was supported by important figures like the vice president and foreign minister. The election was held in January 2006. Chai received 36% of the votes, but another candidate won with over 54%.
Third Attempt in 2008
In 2008, after the DPP lost the presidential election, the party chairman resigned. Chai announced he would run for chairman again on April 14.
At the time, there were still some disagreements between different groups within the DPP. Chai believed it was important to make the party's policy on independence stronger. He was supported by the mayor of Tainan City. However, he later decided to step out of the race in May and support another candidate. It was too late to officially withdraw, so he still received 5% of the votes.
Family and Passing
Chai Trong-rong married Tsai Li-jung in 1963. They had two daughters, Jessie and Justine, who both went to top universities. He later had four grandchildren. Chai Trong-rong passed away on January 11, 2014, at the age of 78, due to organ failure.
