Chiang Peng-chien

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Chiang.

Chiang Peng-chien Kang Pêng-kian
1st Chairperson of the DPP
In office November 28, 1986 – December 20, 1987
Succeeded by	Yao Chia-wen
Personal details
Born	April 25, 1940(1940-04-25) Taipei, Taiwan
Died	December 15, 2000(2000-12-15) (aged 60) Taipei, Taiwan
Political party	Democratic Progressive Party
Alma mater	National Taiwan University
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Lawyer

Chiang Peng-chien (Chinese: 江鵬堅; pinyin: Jiāng Péngjiān; Wade–Giles: Chiāng P'éng-chiēn; April 25, 1940 – December 15, 2000) was the co-founder and first chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party. Chiang was elected a member of the Legislative Yuan, the legislative body of the Republic of China (Taiwan), in 1983 and became a member of the Control Yuan in 1996.

Early life

Chiang Peng-chien was born April 25, 1940, in Dadaocheng, Taipei, Taiwan. His father was a shoemaker from Fujian, China.^[1]

In 1955, Chiang entered the Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School. He then got into the National Taiwan University, majoring in law. After graduation, he passed the bar examination in 1964.^[2] Chiang began practicing law after earning his master's degree.

Chiang advocated for human rights. He founded the Taiwan Association of Human Rights. On the 1979 Human Rights Day (December 10), members of the Formosa Magazine and other Tangwai pro-democracy advocates went on a demonstration. Many of the participants were arrested by the Kuomintang government and tried in military court. Chiang defended Lin Yi-hsiung, one of the "Kaohsiung Eight."^[3]

Political career

Chiang became involved in politics and supported the Tangwai movement. He was elected a member of the Legislative Yuan in 1983.^[4] In September 1986, about 130 pro-democracy advocates, including Chiang, gathered at the Grand Hotel in Taipei to establish the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). On November 10, 1986, he was elected the first chairperson of the party.^[4]

In 1994, Chiang was a candidate for the DPP's nomination in the 1994 Taipei mayoral election. He competed against legislators Chen Shui-bian and Frank Hsieh and lost.^[5] In 1996, Chiang became a member of the Control Yuan. He worked to prevent any activities associated with black gold and actively investigated sensitive cases involved with former political oppression.^[4]

Death and legacy

Chiang died in December 2000 of pancreatic cancer.^[3] His widow Peng Feng-mei donated his writings and books to the Academia Historia for display.^[6]

References

1. ^ "從靴匠之子到民進黨創黨主席——第一屆黨主席江鵬堅" (in traditional Chinese) (Press release). China.com.cn. 2005-02-05. http://big5.china.com.cn/zhuanti2005/txt/2005-02/05/content_5778171.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 
2. ^ "民主進步黨". Democratic Progressive Party. http://www.dpp.org.tw. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 
3. ^ ^{a b} First chairman of DPP dies of pancreatic cancer. . The Taipei Times. 2000-12-16. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/12/16/65714. Retrieved 2008-06-21. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "名士風格江鵬堅　一身傲骨孤獨行" (in traditional Chinese) (Press release). New Taiwan Weekly. 2000-12-15. http://www.newtaiwan.com.tw/bulletinview.jsp?bulletinid=7636. Retrieved 2008-06-22. 
5. ^ 民進黨歷任黨主席 與扁政府的互動關係. (in traditional Chinese). Liberty Times (Taiwan (ROC)). 2006-08-10. http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2006/new/aug/10/today-fo8.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-22. 
6. ^ Museum celebrates contributions of late democracy activist. . The Taipei Times. 2001-11-16. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2001/11/16/111763. Retrieved 2008-06-22. 

Party political offices
Preceded by None	Chairperson of the DPP 1986–1987	Succeeded by Yao Chia-wen

Persondata
Name	Chiang, Peng-chien
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1940-04-25
Place of birth	Taipei, Taiwan
Date of death	2000-12-15
Place of death	Taipei, Taiwan