Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen has become a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). That was the word from DPP spokesperson Chou Chiang-chieh on Tuesday. Chen submitted the application at the end of December with a recommendation from President Tsai Ing-wen. Chen was previously not affiliated with any party.
Chen was vice president during Tsai’s first term from 2016 to 2020 and did not seek a second term as he said he wanted to return to research work.
Chou said the DPP welcomes anyone who supports President Tsai’s political views and the party’s values to help strengthen Taiwan. He said Chen has been supportive of President Tsai’s administration during his time as vice president. As an epidemiologist and a public health expert, Chen made tremendous contributions to the early containment of COVID-19 and gained a high degree of public support and international recognition.
When asked whether Chen will be the DPP’s candidate for Taipei City mayor this year, Chou said the DPP will nominate the most appropriate candidate in due time.
Chen has a doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins University in human genetics and epidemiology. Chen served as health minister of Taiwan from 2003 to 2005. From 2011 to 2015, he was vice president of Taiwan’s top research body, Academia Sinica, where he now serves as a research fellow.