Lin Chen-kuo

Lin was born in 1937. His father, who had moved to Taiwan with an elder brother, was killed in the 228 Incident. As a result, an aunt helped his mother raise Lin and his eight siblings. Under their influence, Lin became a Christian. After high school, he graduated from National Taiwan University with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1950. He then studied economics in the United States at Oklahoma State University from 1966 to 1967 and then at Harvard University from 1973 to 1974.^[1]

Shirley Kuo found Lin his first government job. He later led the finance departments of Taipei City Government and Taiwan Provincial Government.^[1] He was named finance minister under Premier Lien Chan in February 1993.^[2][3] Lin stepped down in June 1996, accepting an appointment as minister without portfolio.^[4] He later served as president of the China External Trade Development Council,^[5][6] leaving that position to head the newly established Taiwan Asset Management Company [zh].^[7][8] In November 2009, Lin was named to the board of the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation, serving concurrently as chair of the company's audit committee.^[9][10] In 2010, the Taiwan–Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council was founded, and Lin became its first chairman.^[11]