Chen Ching-pao

Chen Ching-pao Chinese: 陳清寶; born 9 December 1955) is a Taiwanese politician.

Chen was born in 1955,^[1] and attended National Taiwan Ocean University.^[2][3] Prior to pursuing political office, he was a schoolteacher at a vocational high school.^[2][3]

Chen was elected to the Legislative Yuan from the Kinmen County Constituency for the first time in 1992, while affiliated with the Kuomintang.^[4] Chen succeeded Huang Wu-jen [zh] in office. Chen won reelection twice, in 1995^[2] and 1998.^[3][5] In April 2001, the Taiwan Association of University Professors regarded Chen as one of thirteen worst-performing legislators.^[6] Chen subsequently lost his bid for a fourth legislative term in December,^[7][8] and yielded the Kinmen seat to Wu Cherng-dean. Before leaving office in 2002, Chen expressed being at peace with his electoral loss,^[9] and later stated, "As a microcosm of society, the legislature has its share of hypocrites. I'm glad I'll be leaving this place soon."^[10] Chen was unsuccessful in a 2004 independent legislative campaign.^[11][12] During his final legislature term, Chen also served on the Kuomintang's Central Committee.^[13]

In 1999, Chen cautioned against withdrawing the Republic of China Armed Forces from Kinmen.^[14] As the Democratic Progressive Party-affiliated Chen Shui-bian presidential administration assumed office in 2000, Chen Ching-pao questioned the selection of Kuomintang member Tang Fei as premier.^[15][16] Throughout the year, Chen opposed budgets proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party-affiliated administration.^[17][18][19] In 2001, Chen criticized presidential advisers Shi Wen-long and Birei Kin.^[20] Later that year, he questioned security efforts undertaken by Taiwanese airlines shortly after the September 11 attacks.^[21]

Throughout his legislative tenure, Chen Ching-pao advocated for the little three links between China and Taiwan,^[22] including plans to develop Kinmen into a "duty-free trade center" as described by Chen Ching-hwang, director of Chen Ching-pao's legislative office in Kinmen.^[23] After amendments to the Offshore Islands Development Bill passed a third legislative reading in March 2000, Chen Ching-pao described the action as "a goodwill gesture from Taiwan."^[24] He subsequently called for expansion of the links, namely travel for religious purposes.^[25] Chen also suggested several infrastructure improvements regarding the little three links. He proposed that a bridge between Kinmen and Xiamen be built,^[26] and also advocated for facilities in the Liaolo port on Kinmen to be expanded.^[27] Chen opposed a December 2000 proposal by Lin Chia-sheng, minister of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, to directly legalize gambling on Kimen and Matsu Islands as part of the little three links.^[28] In October 2001, Chen proposed revisions to The Offshore Islands Development Act which permitted residents to decide by referendum whether or not to legalize gambling.^[29] In January 2001, Chen Ching-pao opined that the Chen Shui-bian government was not adequately promoting the little three links.^[30]

In November 2000, before the little three links were formally established, Chen Ching-pao and other legislators attempted to sail from Kinmen to Xiamen, but were forced to turn back due to large waves.^[31] Chen began planning a second voyage the next month.^[32] Chen observed several days before departure that the government of China was unresponsive.^[33][34] Chen's direct contact with the Xiamen municipal government was more successful.^[35] However, the trip was eventually cancelled.^[36][37]

In 2002, businesswoman Su Hui-chen claimed that she bribed a legislative committee four years prior on which Chen was a member.^[38][39][40]