He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Fu Jen Catholic University before running for the presidential election and served as Fu Jen's Robert J. Ronald Chair Professor after leaving office.[4][5][6]
Chen Chien-jen was born at his family home in Cishan, Kaohsiung County, in 1951,[1] as one of eight children.[7] His father, Chen Hsin-an, served as Kaohsiung County Magistrate from 1954 to 1957.[8] Chen's mother Chen Wei Lien-chih managed a daycare.[7]
He began his medical career by researching hepatitis B, and helped raise awareness about vaccination for the disease in Taiwan.[8] Chen further researched on the liver cancer risk of people with hepatitis B.[10] Chen also discovered a link from arsenic to blackfoot disease [zh].[8][11] The arsenic research lead to the revision of international health standards for arsenic exposure.[10] Between 2011 and November 2015,[12] Chen was a vice president of Academia Sinica.[13][14]
Official vice presidential portrait, 2016 (right) Chen in an interview with The Telegraph, 2020 (left)
On 16 November 2015, Chen was confirmed as the running mate for Tsai Ing-wen in the 2016 Taiwanese presidential election[20] after media speculation earlier in the month.[21][22] During the campaign, Chen became known by the nickname Brother Da-jen (大仁哥), after a character portrayed by Chen Bolin on the romantic drama In Time with You.[23] Chen is the first Catholic vice presidential nominee in Taiwan.[24] On 16 January 2016, Tsai and Chen won the presidential election in a landslide.[25] Chen took up his post as Vice President on 20 May 2016.[26]
In March 2019, Chen announced that he would not seek a second term as vice president alongside Tsai.[27] Chen received international attention for his role in leading Taiwan's response to the COVID-19 pandemic due to his unique position as both vice president and his epidemiologist background.[28][29] Days before he stepped down from the vice presidency, Chen stated that he would return to the Academia Sinica as a research fellow and thus forgo the pension connected to his political office.[30]
On May 17, 2019, the Legislative Yuan approved the same-sex marriage bill, Chen supported it by writing "The Executive Yuan has courageously assumed its responsibility, exercised its utmost wisdom and patience, and continuously communicated and coordinated with the pro and con sides in an effort to reduce social disagreements, proposing a bill that is consistent with the conclusion of the Justice's interpretation of the Constitution and responsive to the majority opinion of the referendum. In the face of the tensions between the pro and con sides, the legislators still uphold the democratic spirit of accommodating diverse opinions and complete the legislative work of the bill smoothly".[31]
In December 2021, Chen applied to join the Democratic Progressive Party, and formally became a member in February 2022.[32][33] In January 2023, he rejoined the Tsai administration as premier of Taiwan, taking office on 31 January.[33][34] Chen and the members of his cabinet submitted their joint resignations on 18 January 2024.[35]
^ ab"Vice President Chen". Office of the President Republic of China (Taiwan). Retrieved 7 September 2019. Mr. Chen Chien-jen was born in Cishan Township, Kaohsiung County (now merged into Kaohsiung City) in 1951.{...}The Vatican has invited Mr. Chen and his wife Ms. Lo Fong-ping to visit several times, where they have been received by Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.
^Ku Chuan, Matt Yu, Elizabeth Hsu (1 January 2019). "President sings anthem at New Year's Day flag-hoisting ceremony". Focus Taiwan (in English and Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019. The president arrived at the ceremony venue at 6:20 a.m. accompanied by Chen, Chen's wife Lo Fong-ping (羅鳳蘋), Presidential Office Secretary-General Chen Chu (陳菊) and Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^"Vice President Chen". Office of President Republic of China (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2020. Mr. Chen Chien-jen was born in Cishan Township, Kaohsiung County (now merged into Kaohsiung City) in 1951.
^Loa, Iok-sin; Hsu, Stacy; Gerber, Abraham (17 January 2016). "ELECTIONS: Madam President". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.