Wang Chung-yu

Wang studied chemical engineering at Chung Yuan Christian University.^[1] He accrued two decades experience within the steel industry,^[2][3] rising to become the president and later chairman of China Steel.^[4][5] During Wang's tenure as chairman, China Steel earned NT$23 billion.^[6] In February 2000, Wang announced that China Steel had launched an e-commerce company as joint venture with FarEasTone.^[7] He was considered for reappointment in May 2001,^[8] though the Ministry of Economic Affairs chose to designate Kuo Yen-tu as chairman.^[9] His departure from China Steel was thought to be for political reasons;^[10] similar sentiments were stated of Wang's successors in the post.^[11][12] After leaving China Steel, Wang remained in leadership positions in several business organizations, among them the ROC-USA Business Council,^[13][14] the Taiwan Steel & Iron Industrial Association,^[15] and the Association of Industry for Environmental Protection ROC.^[16] He also served as founding chairman of the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation,^[17] within which China Steel worked to help construct the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit system.^[18][19]

Wang was known for his support of nuclear power,^[20] and had questioned the viability of potential alternatives.^[21] Wang backed the Pan-Blue Coalition's joint presidential ticket in the 2000 election.^[22][23][24] He was placed on the Kuomintang party list for the 2001 legislative election, and was seated in the Legislative Yuan.^[25] While a member of the legislature, Wang continued serving as president of the Taiwan-USA Business Council,^[26] Taiwan Steel & Iron Industries Association,^[27] and deputy chairman of the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association.^[28] The People First Party considered nominating Wang as a candidate for the Kaohsiung mayoralty in 2002, but he did not run.^[25] However, he was active in persuading other Pan-Blue candidates to run for local office.^[29] As a legislator, Wang took an interest in government debt,^[30] especially that of state-owned enterprises.^[31] In January 2003, Wang proposed that opposition parties should form a shadow government.^[32] In November 2005, months after his legislature term had ended, the Kuomintang nominated him to sit on the National Communications Commission.^[33]

Instead, Wang returned to business and industry. Though he had assumed the chairmanship of Tong Lung Metal Industry in 2002,^[34] Wang did not consider a restructuring of the company complete until March 2006, a year after he stepped down from the Legislative Yuan.^[35] Still deputy chairman of the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association through 2008,^[36] Wang was named chairman of the non-profit organization by 2010.^[37] As chairman of the CIECA, Wang traveled to Latin America,^[38][39] India,^[37] Malaysia,^[40] and Myanmar.^[41]