Vincent Siew

Vincent Siew
Name	Vincent Siew
Native name	蕭萬長
Birth date	01 January 1939
Birth place	Anxi County, Fujian, Republic of China
Nationality	Republic of China (Taiwan)
Occupation	Politician
Office	Vice President of the Republic of China
Term start	20 May 2012
Term end	20 May 2016
President	Ma Ying-jeou
Predecessor	Lu Hsiu-ying
Successor	Chen Chien-jen

Vincent Siew

Vincent Siew is a Taiwanese politician and statesman who served as Vice President of the Republic of China from 2012 to 2016. He previously held senior posts including Premier, Vice Premier, and Minister of Finance, and played a central role in cross-strait economic relations and financial reform. Siew's career spans service in cabinets, party leadership, and international economic forums, intersecting with figures and institutions across East Asia and global economic governance.

Early life and education

Siew was born in Anxi County, Fujian, then part of the Republic of China, and later moved to Taiwan where his family settled. He studied at National Chengchi University, receiving training that led him into public administration and finance, and pursued further education and professional development connected with institutions such as Academia Sinica networks and exchanges involving World Bank-linked seminars. His formative years coincided with major events including the Chinese Civil War, postwar reconstruction, and Taiwan’s industrialization, which shaped his perspectives toward trade and development.

Early political career

Siew entered public service with appointments in financial agencies and economic planning bodies, serving in posts tied to the Ministry of Finance and the Council for Economic Planning and Development. He rose to prominence during administrations led by figures such as Chiang Ching-kuo and Lee Teng-hui, working alongside officials from the Kuomintang and interacting with leaders of state-owned enterprises and private conglomerates like Formosa Plastics Group and China Steel Corporation. During this period he engaged with regional counterparts from Japan and South Korea and participated in bilateral economic exchanges with delegations from United States trade missions and European Commission delegations.

Vice Premier and economic leadership

As Vice Premier, Siew managed portfolios that connected him to global institutions including the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank, negotiating financial arrangements and regulatory reforms. He worked under premiers such as Lien Chan and Yu Shyi-kun and coordinated with ministers from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Council of Labor Affairs. Siew advocated policies that aligned Taiwan with liberalization trends exemplified by the World Trade Organization accession processes and engaged with corporate leaders from Acer Inc., TSMC, and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Foxconn) to promote export-led growth. His tenure involved interaction with regional integration efforts and summits such as the APEC meetings and consultations with ministers from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Premiership of the Republic of China

Siew served as Premier of the Republic of China, leading cabinets that implemented fiscal consolidation and structural reform measures in response to global shocks such as the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis and the Global financial crisis of 2008–2009. His administration negotiated with labor representatives, business associations including the Chinese National Federation of Industries, and legislators from the Legislative Yuan to advance deregulation and financial sector reforms. Siew’s premiership entailed dealings with cross-strait economic issues involving the Straits Exchange Foundation and dialogues shaped by counterparts in Mainland China and officials connected to the State Council (PRC).

Vice President (2012–2016)

As Vice President alongside President Ma Ying-jeou, Siew focused on trade, investment, and cross-strait economic cooperation. He accompanied presidential delegations to forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and engaged with leaders from United States, Japan, European Union, and ASEAN member states. Siew played a role in promoting initiatives like the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement and supported policies to deepen ties with mainland economic mechanisms, coordinating with negotiators from the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and institutions in Shanghai and Beijing.

Political positions and policies

Siew is associated with pragmatic market-oriented policies and advocacy for closer economic interaction with regional partners. He emphasized exports, investment facilitation, and regulatory reforms consistent with frameworks advanced by the World Trade Organization and Asian Development Bank. On cross-strait affairs, Siew favored engagement and agreements that expanded trade and services ties while working within the institutions of the Republic of China. His policy stances brought him into debate with leaders from the Democratic Progressive Party, labor unions, and civic groups active in Taipei and other municipalities such as Kaohsiung and Taichung.

Personal life and honors

Siew is married and has family ties that include involvement in civic and cultural organizations across Taiwan and Fujian. He has received honors and recognitions from foreign governments and international bodies, including orders and decorations conferred by states such as Japan and Singapore, and acknowledgments from trade and academic institutions including National Taiwan University and international economic forums. Siew’s profile connects him to a network of Asian and global leaders such as Lee Kuan Yew, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, Barack Obama, and Angela Merkel through diplomatic, economic, and summit engagements.

Category:Taiwanese politicians Category:Vice presidents of the Republic of China (Taiwan)