Yen Chia-kan
Suzhou, Jiangsu, Qing DynastyDied24 December 1993(1993-12-24) (aged:88)
Taipei, TaiwanResting placeWuzhi Mountain Military CemeteryNationalityRepublic of ChinaPolitical partyKuomintangSpouse(s)Liu Chi-chun
Yen Chia-kan (Chinese: 嚴家淦; pinyin: Yán Jiāgàn; Wade–Giles: Yen2 Chia1-kan4; 23 October 1905 – 24 December 1993), also known as C. K. Yen, was a Kuomintang politician. He succeeded Chiang Kai-shek as President of the Republic of China on 5 April 1975, being sworn in on 6 April 1975, and served out the remainder of Chiang's term until 20 May 1978.
Contents
- 1 Early life
- 2 Political career
- 3 Death
- 4 See also
- 5 References
Early life
He was born in Mudu, Wu County, Jiangsu province in 1905. He came of a prestigious Suzhou family, the Yan (Yen) Family of Dongshan (東山嚴氏). He graduated from Saint John's University in Shanghai with a degree in chemistry in 1926.
Political career
In 1931, Yen began serving as a manager of the Shanghai railway administration. Yen started to work as director of the finance department of Fujian Provincial Government in August 1939. During his term, he initiated a policy of land tax payment for farmers with their agricultural produce. This policy was then adopted nationwide across China and contributed significantly for the nation food supply during World War II.
Yen previously served as Minister of Economic Affairs, minister of finance, and Governor of Taiwan Province. He became premier on 16 December 1963.
In 1966 the National *embly elected Yen as Vice President and re-elected him in 1972. On the afternoon of January 5, 1973, Yen visited Washington, D.C. and met with US President Richard Nixon.
Yen became the second President following the death of Chiang Kai-shek. During his presidency, the Kuomintang worked on the "Chang'an Project" (長安計畫), which was to design, manufacture, and test defensive missiles. On 9 July 1977, he visited Saudi Arabia, becoming the first Republic of China president to visit another country after the government moved to Taiwan. On 20 May 1978, Yen resigned and was succeeded by Chiang's son, KMT Chairman and Premier Chiang Ching-kuo.
After his presidency, Yen served as chairman of the Council on Chinese Cultural Renaissance and chairman of the board of the National Palace Museum until 1991.
Death
Yen died in Taipei City at the age of 88. He was buried at the Wuchih Mountain Military Cemetery in New Taipei City.
See also
- History of the Republic of China
- Politics of the Republic of China