Tony Jian
Taiwanese physician and politician (1955–2024)
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Tony Jian (Chinese: 簡肇棟; pinyin: Jiǎn Zhàodòng; 18 August 1955 – 29 November 2024) was a Taiwanese physician and politician. He was a member of the Legislative Yuan from 2002 to 2005, then returned to office in 2010 via a by-election, resigning the position the following year.
Tony Jian | |
|---|---|
簡肇棟 | |
Jian in 2014 | |
| Member of the Legislative Yuan | |
| In office 18 January 2010 – 13 September 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Chiang Lien-fu |
| Succeeded by | Ho Hsin-chun |
| Constituency | Taichung 7 |
| In office 1 February 2002 – 31 January 2005 | |
| Constituency | Taichung County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 August 1955 Taichung, Taiwan |
| Died | 29 November 2024 (aged 69) South District, Taichung, Taiwan |
| Party | Democratic Progressive Party |
| Spouse | Chang Phen-yu |
| Education | Chung Shan Medical University (MD) Tunghai University National Chung Hsing University (MA) |
Education
Jian earned his medical degree at Chung Shan Medical University, and obtained a master's degree in international politics at National Chung Hsing University after beginning studies in a related field at the Department of Public Administration of Tunghai University.[1][2]
Career
Prior to his involvement in politics, Jian was a physician specializing in thoracic medicine.[3] He was mayor of Dali, Taichung from 1998 to 2002, when he first won election to the Legislative Yuan.[4] During his first term, Jian was named to the legislature's Health, Environment and Social Welfare Committee.[5] He opposed a plan to reduce Public Welfare Lottery drawings because people with disabilities who sold tickets would earn less money.[6] Jian has worked to improve Taiwan's international space,[7] and was critical of the World Health Assembly and World Trade Organization, which barred Taiwanese participation due to political pressure from China.[8][9] Jian sought to limit immigration from China to Taiwan,[10][11] and proposed that naturalized citizens of Chinese origin be barred from voting in elections for seven years after acquiring Republic of China citizenship.[12] Jian believed that financial statements of medical institutions should remain private information, a stance ridiculed by the Taiwan Health Reform Foundation.[13]
Jian was a candidate in both the 2004 and 2008 legislative elections, but lost both times.[14][15] He challenged the 2008 result in court, and Jian's Kuomintang opponent Chiang Lien-fu was indicted on 29 January 2008.[16] On 27 February, Chiang's win was annulled.[17] A by election was held on 9 January 2010, which Jian won, defeating Yu Wen-chin.[18][19] Jian resigned from the legislature on 13 September 2011, after causing a fatal traffic collision.[4] Ho Hsin-chun was named the DPP candidate for Jian's constituency, and succeeded him in office.[20] Following his resignation, Jian resumed his medical career at his clinic in Dali.[21][22]
Personal life and death
Jian's wife Chang Fen-yu has served on the Taichung City Council.[23][24]
Jian was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in September 2024 by staff of the Chung Shan Medical University Hospital,[25][26] who found a tumor thirteen centimeters in length in his stomach.[27] He later fell into a coma, and died on 29 November 2024, at the age of 69.[28][29]