Lin Li-chan

Lin was born in Cambodia to an ethnic Chinese family of Teochew descent. She is a naturalized citizen of Taiwan. Her father died in a traffic collision, and, when she was 20, her mother married Lin to a Taiwanese man, Hsieh Shui-chin, for money.^[1][2] They had two children.

Lin learned Taiwanese Hokkien and Taiwanese Mandarin both around the house and while working at a factory. After graduating from Chienkuo Technology University, she obtained a master's degree in non-profit organization management at National Chi Nan University to improve her Mandarin. She then later earned a Ph.D. in Southeast Asian studies from National Chi Nan University.^[3][4]

Prior to her political career, Lin was engaged in volunteer work for many causes,^[3] including the Taiwan New Immigrant Development and Exchange Association.^[5] She has also worked in radio.^[6]

Lin was named as a candidate for the 2016 legislative election in November 2015.^[7][8] Listed fourth on the Kuomintang proportional representation ballot, she became the first immigrant to win a seat in the Legislative Yuan.^[3][4]

Near the end of her term in the Ninth Legislative Yuan, Lin was offered an advisory position to the Kaohsiung City Government led by mayor Han Kuo-yu.^[9]