Chen Cheng

Chen Cheng (陳誠 Ch?n Ch?ng) (January 4, 1897 - March 5, 1965), was Vice President (1960 - 1965) and Premier (March 7 1950 - June 7 1954; June 30 1958 - December 15 1963) of the Republic of China and Chairman of Taiwan Province (1948). Under Chiang Kai-shek, he initiated a popular land reform program, giving him a good reputation even after death. His courtesy name, officially in Gwoyeu Romatzyh, was Chen Tsyr-shiou (陳辭修; pinyin: Chen Cixiu).

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Born in Qingtian (青田), Zhejiang, he graduated from a Baoding Army Officer Academy (保定陸軍軍官學校) in 1922, and entered Whampoa Academy two years later. He was General in the ROC Army during the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), commanding the Left Wing 3rd War Area, Shanghai and Wuhan Garrison in 1937, 9th and 6th War Areas in 1938-39, and the Y-Force in Yannan in 1943-44. During the Chinese Civil War, he commanded the Nationalist forces in Manchuria.

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He married Tan Xiang (譚祥), the daughter of a politician. Chen and Tan's eldest son, Chen Li-an, also became a politician.

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Originally located in a Taipei memorial park containing a museum dedicated to him, Chen's cremated remains were moved to Fo Guang Shan, Kaohsiung County in August 1995.

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