Epidemiologist who led the SARS response and later served as vice president and premier
Born in Cishan, Kaohsiung County, in 1951, the son of a Kuomintang magistrate of Kaohsiung County, he studied zoology and public health at National Taiwan University and took a doctorate in human genetics and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins in 1983, becoming internationally known for his research on hepatitis B and arsenic poisoning. As health minister from 2003 to 2005 he directed the response to the SARS epidemic, and he later headed the National Science Council and was vice president of Academia Sinica. He was Tsai Ing-wen's nonpartisan vice president from 2016 to 2020 and drew attention for his role in the COVID-19 response. He joined the Democratic Progressive Party in 2022, was premier from January 2023 to May 2024, and became president of Academia Sinica in 2026. He is a devout Catholic.
Also known as: Chen Jianren
Activities and affiliations
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2003–2005
Republic of China state institutionsMinister of Health
Government and administration -
2016–2020
Republic of China state institutionsVice President of the Republic of China
Government and administration -
2022–
Political and party leadership
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2023–2024
Republic of China state institutionsPresident of the Executive YuanHeads of state, government and party of ChinaMain
Political and party leadership -
2026–
Republic of China state institutionsPresident of Academia Sinica
Science and technology
Career Timeline
- 1983D.Sc. in human genetics and epidemiology, Johns Hopkins
- 2003–2005Minister of Health
- 2006–2008Minister of the National Science Council
- 2011–2015.11Vice President of Academia Sinica
- 2016.05.20–2020.05.20Vice President of the Republic of China
- 2022.02Joined the DPP
- 2023.01.31–2024.05.20President of the Executive Yuan
- 2026.06.21–presentPresident of Academia Sinica