Koo Chen-fu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Koo Chen-fu
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| 辜振甫 | |
Koo Chen-fu in 1969
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| Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation | |
| In office 21 November 1990 – 3 January 2005 |
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| Deputy | Johnnason Liu |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Johnnason Liu (acting) Chang Chun-hsiung |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 January 1917 Taihoku Chō, Japanese Taiwan |
| Died | 3 January 2005 (aged 87) Taipei, Taiwan |
| Citizenship | Republic of China |
| Children | Chester Koo, Leslie Koo |
| Alma mater | Taihoku Imperial University |
| Occupation | Businessman, diplomat, film producer |
Koo Chen-fu (Chinese: 辜振甫; pinyin: Gū Zhènfǔ; Wade–Giles: Ku Chen-fu; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ko͘ Chín-hú, born January 6, 1917 – died January 3, 2005) was an important person from Taiwan. People also called him C.F. Koo. He was a successful businessman, a diplomat (someone who helps countries talk to each other), and even a film producer.
He led a big group of companies called the Koos Group for many years, starting in 1940. He continued this work until he passed away. As the chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), Koo helped arrange important talks between Taiwan and mainland China. These talks were the first of their kind since 1949. He was Taiwan's main negotiator in special meetings called the Wang-Koo summit in 1993 and 1998.
Besides his business and diplomatic work, he also produced several Taiwanese movies between 1973 and 1982. Some of these films include Love, Love, Love (1974), Eight Hundred Heroes (1975), and Attack Force Z (1982).
Early Life and Career
Koo Chen-fu was born in northern Taiwan. His family was very wealthy and involved in business. His father, Koo Hsien-jung, led the family.
Koo went to Taihoku Imperial University, which is now called National Taiwan University. After his father died in 1937, Koo inherited a lot of money and the family business. He finished university in 1940 and then studied more in Japan.
After some challenges in 1946, Koo returned to Taiwan in 1949. He married Cecilia Koo. He then focused on leading the Koos Group and also became involved in politics. He rose to an important position in the Kuomintang political party.
Leading the Straits Exchange Foundation
Koo Chen-fu was the first chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). This organization was created to help Taiwan communicate with mainland China. On December 16, 1991, mainland China set up its own group called the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS). Its chairman was Wang Daohan.
The next year, Koo and Wang had early discussions in Hong Kong. These talks led to something called the "1992 Consensus". This agreement helped them talk about practical issues. However, what exactly was agreed upon in this "1992 consensus" is still debated by some. In 2001, Koo himself said that the meeting did not result in a clear agreement on the "one-China" issue.
In April 1993, Koo and Wang met again in Singapore. This was the first official discussion between Taipei and Beijing since 1949. They met again in Shanghai in 1998. On October 18, 1998, Koo also met Jiang Zemin, a very important leader in Beijing. These were the highest-level talks between the two sides at that time. However, these talks stopped in 1999 after Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui suggested a "two-states theory."
Later Years and Passing
Koo Chen-fu passed away on January 3, 2005. He was 87 years old. He died from kidney cancer.
