David Lin

Summary

Lin Yung-lo (Chinese: 林永樂; pinyin: Lín Yǒnglè; born 10 March 1950), also known as David Lin, is a Taiwanese politician who was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan. Since 2023, he has been serving as the chairman of the Association of Foreign Relations (AFR) since his election in late 2022.

David Lin
Lin Yung-lo
林永樂
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China
In office
27 September 2012 – 20 May 2016
DeputySimon Ko
Joseph Shih
Andrew Kao
Bruce Linghu
ViceVanessa Shih
Preceded byTimothy Yang
Succeeded byDavid Lee
ROC Representative to European Union and Belgium
In office
May 2010[1] - September 2012
Preceded byShen Lyu-shun
Succeeded byTung Kuo-yu[2]
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China
In office
2008–2010
MinisterFrancisco Ou
Timothy Yang
ROC Representative to Indonesia
In office
2003 - 2007
Succeeded byTimothy Yang
ROC Ambassador to Grenada
In office
1997 - 2001
Personal details
Born10 March 1950 (1950-03-10) (age 74)
Taiwan
NationalityRepublic of China
Alma materNational Chengchi University
Georgetown University

Early life edit

David Lin graduated with a bachelor and master of commerce degree from the National Chengchi University in Taiwan. He earned his Master of Science degree from Georgetown University in the United States.

He was also a member of the Taipei Toastmasters club.[3]

ROC Foreign Ministry edit

Minister of Foreign Affairs appointment edit

Lin was appointed to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China on 27 September 2012 replacing the incumbent Minister Timothy Yang after the ROC cabinet reshuffle.[4]

ROC delegates refusal from Jakarta International Defense Dialogue edit

Commenting on the refusal for ROC delegates to attend the Jakarta International Defense Dialogue in Jakarta, Indonesia on 23–25 March 2013 by the event organizer, Lin said that the MOFA needed to communicate with the Indonesian counterpart on the exact reason for the sudden withdrawal of the invitation to the Taiwanese. Lin acknowledged that this may due to verbal protest from Beijing.[5]

ROC-Japan fishery agreement signing edit

After the historic signing on fishery agreement between ROC and Japan on 10 April 2013, at a press conference Lin said that the agreement didn't address the competing claims over the Diaoyutai Islands since both governments set aside the dispute at the moment.[6]

Taiwanese fisherman shooting incident edit

After the shooting incident of Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine government vessel on 9 May 2013 at the disputed water in South China Sea, Lin demanded the Philippine government to take full responsibility, offer formal apology to the ROC government, provide compensation to the family of the fisherman shot and bring those responsible to justice. Lin added that the government understood that the Taiwanese fishing vessel was not involved in illegal fishing prior to the shooting. He pledged that the ROC government would work to discover the truth behind this incident. He slammed the Philippine government because the incident was a violation of international law because it left the Taiwanese vessel without power.[7][8]

On May 11, 2013, Lin held a meeting with ROC President Ma Ying-jeou and ROC Minister of Defense Kao Hua-chu at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei in which the ROC government gave 72 hours for the Philippine government to give formal apology and bring those responsible for the shooting to justice, if not Taiwan will freeze Philippine worker applications, recall ROC representative to the Philippines back to Taiwan and ask the Philippine representative in Taiwan back to the Philippines.[9]

Mainland China trade mission establishment in São Tomé and Príncipe edit

Commenting on the establishment of Mainland China trade mission office in São Tomé and Príncipe in November 2013, Lin said that the decision is unlikely to affect the diplomatic relations between ROC and São Tomé and Príncipe since both side established diplomatic relations on 6 May 1997, but MOFA will review its existing assistance program to the African country and make any adjustment if necessary.[10]

Representative to the United Kingdom edit

Lin was appointed as Taiwan's representative to the United Kingdom, a post then held by Liu Chih-kung, shortly after stepping down as foreign minister.[11] He retired from the position in June 2020, and was succeeded by Kelly Hsieh.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-22. Retrieved 2013-06-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "New representative to EU, Belgium named | Latest | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS". Focustaiwan.tw. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  3. ^ "Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Praises Toastmasters". Toastmasters International.
  4. ^ "David Lin appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Taiwan | EIAS - European Institute for Asian Studies". EIAS. Archived from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  5. ^ "MOFA blames China for blocking JIDD delegation". Taipei Times. 2014-04-22. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  6. ^ "Taiwan, Japan ink fisheries agreement". Taipei Times. 2014-04-22. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  7. ^ "Government slams Manila over death". Taipei Times. 2014-04-22. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  8. ^ "Philippine envoy sorry over shooting". The China Post. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  9. ^ "Death on the High Seas: Ma issues ultimatum over fisherman's death". Taipei Times. 2014-04-22. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  10. ^ "Gambia says to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan | Reuters". In.reuters.com. 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  11. ^ "New diplomatic postings are announced". Taipei Times. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Foreign envoys announced". Taipei Times. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.