Release date: April 10, 2008
Contact: Beverly Cox Clark at 404-712-8780 or beverly.clark@emory.edu

Former Vice President of the Republic Of China to Speak at Emory April 16

Former vice president of the Republic of China and Halle Distinguished Fellow Chan Lien will deliver a public lecture at Emory University at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 16 in the Harland Cinema of the Dobbs Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Emory. Lien will address "Taipei, Beijing and Washington, D.C.: A Dynamic Triangle" in his talk. Lien's visit is co-sponsored by The Halle Institute and Emory's East Asian Studies Program.

Born in Xian, China, Lien grew up in Tainan, Taiwan, and became a leading statesman of the Republic of China. He served as the vice president of the Republic of China from 1996 to 2000 and the chairman of the KMT from 2000 to 2005. Taiwan experienced remarkable progress toward democracy and a stronger economy during Lien's tenure. Since he retired from these positions, he has been dedicated to peace and stability in East Asia and has represented Taiwan on several occasions in peace negotiations with mainland China.

Lien has worked as a public official for a number of years. He previously served as the premier of the Republic of China from 1993 to 1997, governor of the Taiwan Provincial Government from 1990 to 1993, and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the government of China from 1988 to 1990.

Lien began his career as a professor, serving as the chair and director of the Graduate Institute of Political Science at National Taiwan University from 1969 to 1975, and as a professor of political science at the University of Connecticut and the University of Wisconsin. Lien received his doctoral and master's degrees from the University of Chicago and his bachelor's degree from National Taiwan University.

Lien is the author of several books including some promoting peaceful relations with mainland China. He is the grandson of the celebrated Taiwanese historian, Lien Heng (1878-1936).

The Claus M. Halle Institute for Global Learning is Emory University's premier venue for visits by heads of state, distinguished policymakers, and public intellectuals. Established in 1997 with a gift from Claus M. Halle, the Institute brings distinguished visitors into dialogue with the Emory and Atlanta community and provides a forum for research and expert meetings on issues of global importance. For more information on The Halle Institute, visit www.halleinstitute.emory.edu or call 404-727-7504.

Emory University (www.emory.edu) is one of the nation’s leading private research universities and a member of the Association of American Universities. Known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities, Emory is ranked as one of the country's top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, the state's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

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