Kang Ning-hsiang

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Kang Ning-hsiang
康寧祥
Secretary-General of the National Security Council
In office
5 February 2003 – 20 May 2004
Preceded byChiou I-jen
Succeeded byChiou I-jen
Administrative Deputy Minister of National Defense
In office
31 May 2002 – 31 January 2003
MinisterTang Yao-ming
Member of the Control Yuan
In office
20 January 1993 – 30 May 2002
Member of the National Assembly
In office
1 January 1992 – 19 January 1993
Member of the Legislative Yuan
In office
1 February 1987 – 31 January 1990
ConstituencyTaipei
In office
1 February 1973 – 31 January 1984
ConstituencyTaipei
Member of the Taipei City Council
In office
1969–1972
Personal details
Born (1938-11-16) 16 November 1938 (age 85)
Taihoku, Taihoku Prefecture, Taiwan, Empire of Japan
NationalityTaiwanese
Political partyDemocratic Progressive Party (1986–1993; since 2002)
OccupationPolitician

Kang Ning-hsiang (Chinese: 康寧祥; born 16 November 1938) is a Taiwanese politician. He was active in the Tangwai movement, and began his political career as a supporter of Huang Hsin-chieh. Kang served in the Taipei City Council from 1969 to 1972, when he was first elected to the Legislative Yuan, on which he served three consecutive terms, until 1984. He lost reelection in 1983, and won a fourth term in 1986. Kang was subsequently elected to the National Assembly, but left the office to accept an appointment to the Control Yuan, a position he held until 2002. He was then successively appointed an administrative deputy minister of national defense, as secretary-general of the National Security Council, and adviser to president Chen Shui-bian. Kang is a founding member of the Democratic Progressive Party, though his party membership was suspended during his tenure on the Control Yuan.

Education[edit]

Born in 1938, Kang was raised in Wanhua and graduated from National Chung Hsing University, where he studied public administration.[1][2]

Political career[edit]

Kang began his political career while Taiwan was still under martial law and is considered an early leader of the Tangwai movement. He ran Huang Hsin-chieh's 1969 legislative election campaign,[3] and serving as an independent on the Taipei City Council before contesting a legislative seat himself in 1972, which he won.[4][5] He ran on a social welfare platform and sought to increase the representation of native Taiwanese in the government.[6] Kang was one of two independent candidates to receive formal warnings from the Kuomintang while campaigning. The KMT believed that Kang's positions were too critical of the government, and threatened to suspend his run for office.[7] In his first national-level election, Kang won approximately 83,000 votes.[6] Kang started the magazine Taiwan Political Forum (also known as the Taiwan Political Review) in August 1975.[8] After five issues, the government banned the publication.[9] Kang launched another periodical in March 1978 called The Eighties.[10] Despite a moderate tone,[11] it was also eventually shut down,[12] returning as Asian Monthly.[13] In 1980, he declared his candidacy for a third legislative term, winning nearly 80,000 votes.[14] Kang ran for another term in the Legislative Yuan election of 1983, and due to the efforts of what became the New Tide faction,[15] suffered a surprising defeat.[16][17][18] Subsequently, he secured a visiting appointment at Columbia University in the United States.[1] Shortly after co-founding the Democratic Progressive Party,[19] Kang contested the 1986 Legislative Yuan elections as a representative for Taipei and finished second in the total vote count for the district, serving until 1990.[1][20] In November 1988, Kang received government permission to establish the Capital Morning News.[21] It began in May 1989 and ran until August 1990 when it was shuttered due to lack of funds.[22][23] In October, he was named to the National Unification Council, but missed the first meeting, as the Democratic Progressive Party had at first chosen to boycott the group over concerns about its name.[24][25] Kang had been active in a preceding committee, the National Affairs Conference.[26] After a stint in the National Assembly, he was appointed to the Control Yuan in 1993, and as a result, Kang's DPP membership was suspended.[1] While a member of the Control Yuan, Kang played a lead role investigating the murder of Yin Ching-feng [zh] and the related La Fayette-class frigate scandal.[27] In 1998, Kang participated in the follow-up meetings taking place after the initial Wang–Koo summit in 1993.[28][29][19] Throughout 2002, it was reported that Kang would assume a deputy ministerial position at the Ministry of National Defense,[30] and he eventually took office on 31 May.[31] After two months with the MND, Kang's DPP membership was restored.[32] In October, Kang visited the Pentagon in his official capacity, becoming the first Taiwanese official to be received in Washington D.C. since the termination of official relations in 1979.[33][34] Kang was named the head of the National Security Council in February 2003,[35] and during his tenure adopted a direct management style designed to enhance transparency within the institution.[36] In June, Kang tried to promote longtime aide Huang Tsai-tien to rear admiral. The proposal was blocked, as Huang did not fulfill the requirements for promotion.[37] Soon after, media reports alleged that Kang's leadership caused many others at the agency to resign, a claim he rejected.[38] In August, another of Kang's hires was forced to resign, as she had been linked to entrepreneurship opportunities in China.[39][40] Shortly after leaving the National Security Council, Kang was named a senior adviser to President Chen Shui-bian.[41] By 2006, he had left that position.[42]

After leaving government service, Kang became the president of the Foundation for Asia-Pacific Development.[43]

Political stances[edit]

Kang was described by The New York Times in 1978 as "the most successful and astute of the opposition,"[44] and is seen as a moderate member of the Democratic Progressive Party.[45][46] He told the Times in 1988 that an independent Taiwan was an idea worthy of discussion.[47] Kang met with Chinese politicians at the Democratic National Convention in the United States later that year, and made his opposition to the "one country, two systems" formula known.[48] He believes that improvement in Cross-Strait relations should not cost Taiwan its path to democratization. He refused to support the three links until Taiwan's political status was resolved.[49]

Kang was supportive of Fei Hsi-ping,[50] Lee Teng-hui,[51] and Liang Su-yung.[52]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Lin, Mei-chun (10 February 2003). "'Old Kang' a political war-horse". Taipei Times. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  2. ^ Lin, Miao-Jung (26 January 2002). "Candidates say they will take vice-minister posts". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  3. ^ Rigger, Shelley (2001). From Opposition to Power: Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party. Lynne Rienner Publishers. p. 18. ISBN 9781555879693.
  4. ^ "Nationalists win in Taiwan voting". The New York Times. 24 December 1972. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  5. ^ Sharpiro, Donald H. (23 December 1972). "Taiwan's Election Campaign Is Lively and Loud". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  6. ^ a b Chen, Ying-chieh (1 January 1973). "Parliamentary democracy in action". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Taiwan Warns Candidates on 'Mudslinging'". The New York Times. 20 December 1972. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  8. ^ Lu, Hsiu-lien; Esarey, Ashley (2014). My Fight for a New Taiwan: One Woman's Journey from Prison to Power. University of Washington Press. p. 296. ISBN 9780295805054.
  9. ^ Bridges, Brian; Ho, Lok-sang (2009). Public Governance in Asia and the Limits of Electoral Democracy. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 123. ISBN 9781849806343.
  10. ^ Rigger, Shelley (2001). From Opposition to Power: Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party. Lynne Rienner Publishers. p. 20. ISBN 9781555879693.
  11. ^ "Foreign views". Taiwan Today. 1 February 1980. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  12. ^ "Taiwan Stepping Up Arrests of Dissidents in Wake of Anti-Regime Riot; Magazine Serves as Focal Point Broad Sweep of Dissidents Feared". The New York Times. 3 January 1980. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  13. ^ Gerber, Abraham (25 July 2017). "Taipei show remembers top 'dangwai' magazines". Taipei Times. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  14. ^ Yang, Ming-che (1 January 1981). "Taiwan's democracy of ballots". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  15. ^ Chiou, C. (1995). Democratizing Oriental Despotism. Springer. p. 95. ISBN 9780230389687.
  16. ^ Lohr, Steve (4 December 1983). "Ruling party wins Taiwan's elections". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  17. ^ "6.7 Million Voters Select 71 Legislators". Taiwan Today. 4 December 1983. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  18. ^ Lew, Wei-liang (1 January 1984). "The way they were won". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  19. ^ a b Kuhn, Anthony (19 October 1998). "Jiang Meets With High-Level Taiwan Envoy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  20. ^ Mann, Jim (7 December 1986). "New Party Polls Strong Support Against Ruling Kuomintang in Taiwan Elections". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  21. ^ "GIO OKs DPP Party Paper". Taiwan Today. 17 November 1988. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  22. ^ Han Cheung (29 April 2018). "Taiwan in Time: F-bomb on the front page". Taipei Times. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  23. ^ Hsu, Chien-Jung (2014). The Construction of National Identity in Taiwan's Media, 1896-2012. BRILL. p. 108. ISBN 9789004227699.
  24. ^ "DPP Boycott Threat Of NUC Dismissed By Lee's Office". Taiwan Today. 18 October 1990. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  25. ^ Fok, Gabriel (22 October 1990). "DPP Adviser Takes The Plunge; Kang Ning-hsiang Joins The NUC". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  26. ^ "DPP OK's National Conference Role". Taiwan Today. 12 April 1990. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  27. ^ Chuang, Jimmy (8 November 2001). "Hsieh demands release of frigate report". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  28. ^ Crowell, Todd; Hsieh, David (1998). "Tough talk in China". CNN. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  29. ^ Lin, Juo-yu (14 November 1998). "Fruits of Koo-Wang talks should not be overplayed". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  30. ^ Lin, Miao-jung (15 May 2002). "Kang Ning-hsiang suggests he'll fill defense vacancy". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  31. ^ Hsu, Brian (20 June 2002). "Lawmakers urge deputy defense minister to aim for his boss' job". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  32. ^ Lin, Mei-chun (29 July 2002). "Top officials to join DPP in ceremony". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  33. ^ Chu, Henry; Efron, Sonni (23 October 2002). "Jiang's Visit With Bush Likely to Be More Show Than Summit". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  34. ^ "Vice minister of defense to visit US". Taipei Times. 7 September 2002. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  35. ^ "Chen promises Taiwan a brighter future in new year". Taipei Times. 7 February 2003. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  36. ^ Lin, Chieh-yu (14 July 2003). "NSC works hard to open doors to public". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  37. ^ Hsu, Brian (3 June 2003). "NSC secretary not qualified for boost, ministry claims". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  38. ^ Lin, Chieh-yu (12 June 2003). "Top officials deny reports of discord at security agency". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  39. ^ "TSU says KMT-PFP stonewalling poses significant danger to national security". Taipei Times. 13 August 2003. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  40. ^ Ko, Shu-ling (12 April 2009). "ANALYSIS: Contacts with China raise questions about security". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  41. ^ Lin, Chieh-yu (12 May 2004). "Su Tseng-chang to take Presidential Office reins". Taipei Times. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  42. ^ Shih, Hsiu-chuan (4 August 2006). "Ex-advisers get peek at accounts". Taipei Times. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  43. ^ Chen, Yu-fu; Chung, Jake (24 January 2016). "Tsai, DPP urged to develop democracy". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  44. ^ Butterfield, Fox (16 February 1978). "Nationalist Chinese To Give High Post To Taiwan Native". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  45. ^ "Political Excess Can Backfire". Taiwan Today. 15 February 1988. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  46. ^ Wang, K. J (1 February 1987). "Pluralism Comes of Age". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  47. ^ Haberman, Clyde (18 January 1988). "Independent Taiwan: Risky Idea May Be Gaining". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  48. ^ "As Adage Has It: Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows". Taiwan Today. 25 July 1988. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  49. ^ Yu, Susan (24 October 1996). "Lee urges Peking to work with Taipei to end impasse". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  50. ^ Lin, Mei-Chun (3 March 2003). "Fei's passing recalls lost era of ethnic cooperation". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  51. ^ "Taiwan's Vice President-Elect Is Noted for His Modesty and Moderation". Los Angeles Times. 31 March 1984. p. 38. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  52. ^ Hsu, Crystal (8 July 2001). "Old soldier stands his ground". Taipei Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.