Su Ching-chuan (Chinese: 蘇清泉; born 5 August 1957) is a Taiwanese physician and politician. He lost the 2008 legislative election, won election to the Legislative Yuan in 2012, and contested the Pingtung County magistracy in 2018 and 2022.

Su Ching-chuan
蘇清泉
Su in 2015
Member of the Legislative Yuan
In office
1 February 2012 – 31 January 2016
ConstituencyRepublic of China
Personal details
Born (1957-08-05) 5 August 1957 (age 66)
Donggang, Pingtung, Taiwan
Political partyKuomintang
Alma materChung Shan Medical University
Occupationpolitician
Professionphysician

Medical career edit

Su earned degrees from Chung Shan Medical University,[1] and became superintendent of Antai Tian-sheng Memorial Hospital in Donggang, Pingtung.[2] His term as a member of the Eighth Legislative Yuan overlapped with leadership as director-general of the Taiwan Regional Hospital Association,[3] and Taiwan Medical Association.[4] In 2014, when Su and fellow legislator Liao Kuo-tung accused National Taiwan University Hospital and physician Ko Wen-je of unethical organ harvesting practices,[5][6] a petition calling for Su's resignation from the Taiwan Medical Association was distributed.[7][8] William Lai and Yeh Ching-chuan also commented on the allegations levied by Su and Liao.[9][10] Though the petition was delivered to the Taiwan Medical Association,[8] Su remained an organization executive.[11][12][13][14] He was later named honorary superintendent of Antai Tian-sheng Memorial Hospital.[15]

Political career edit

Su contested the 2008 legislative election as a Kuomintang candidate from Pingtung County's third district, losing to Pan Men-an.[16]

He placed tenth on the Kuomintang party list in the 2012 legislative election, and was elected to the Legislative Yuan via proportional representation.[17] As a legislator, Su was active in discussions regarding medical topics. He supported efforts for Taiwan's full membership in the World Health Organization, as well as a wider range of participation in other international organizations.[18] Su commented on the subject of Chen Shui-bian's mental health while Chen was imprisoned, opining that the cell Chen was held in was too small.[19] His medical training was considered a good fit for the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee,[20] and he had been named the committee convenor by May 2013.[21] In 2014, Su criticized a number of organizations backing medical reform, stating that activists should attempt to establish hospitals that fulfill idealized working conditions and salaries to prove that such medical institutions would be sustainable.[22] In January 2015, an amendment to the Fisheries Act proposed by Su passed, waiving a requirement that Taiwanese maritime employers pay health insurance premiums for foreign employees dating back to 2009.[23][24]

In 2013, Su backed an amendment to an environmental impact assessment, permitting the proposed projects to continue in water catchment areas near reservoirs.[25] In 2014, he voted against an amendment to the Water Pollution Control Act that would have raised fines for violations of the act.[26]

During the 2014 Taiwan food scandal, Su raised questions about the import of waste cooking oil,[27] and opined that such oils were safe to use.[28] During a 2015 review of Japanese food products produced near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the site of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, Su called for a boycott of all Japanese foodstuffs.[29]

In 2012, Su visited the Philippines as part of a delegation with fellow lawmakers Hsu Shao-ping [zh] and Liao Cheng-ching [zh].[30] Following the Guang Da Xing No. 28 incident in 2013, he proposed that the Taiwanese government utilize air and naval forces to protect Taiwanese fishing boats during the bluefin tuna season, from March to June.[31] He described the Philippines as "a gangster" and "a savage country."[32] When the Sheng Fong No. 12, a Taiwanese vessel, was flagged for inspection by the Philippine Coast Guard in 2015, Su stated that the Taiwanese government should demand the immediate and unconditional release of the boat and its crew.[33]

Though it was reported in March 2015 that Su was considering running for reelection to the Legislative Yuan from his native Pingtung County,[34] by August, his willingness to contest a geographical constituency in Southern Taiwan had been reduced.[35] Su's placement on the party list was still considered likely weeks before the list was due to be finalized.[36]

He contested the Pingtung County magistracy in 2018, losing to incumbent Pan Meng-an.[37] Su ran for the same office in 2022. He garnered 206,460 votes (46.59%) to Democratic Progressive Party candidate Chou Chun-mi's 217,537 votes (49.09) with New Power Party candidate Chan Chih-chun [zh] finishing third at 19,156 votes (4.32%). After the preliminary results were announced, Su claimed that there were several errors in the vote counting process and petitioned for a recount.[38] The Pingtung District Court dismissed Su's request on 8 December 2022.[39]

Su has served vice chair of the Kuomintang Policy Committee.[40]

Personal life edit

The Control Yuan reported in 2014 that Su owned 74 plots of land and 12 buildings, held NT$38.2 million in savings, NT$2.9 million in stocks, and investments in funds and other legal entities totaling NT$8.7 billion.[41]

References edit

  1. ^ "Su Ching-chuan (8)". Legislative Yuan. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  2. ^ Lin, Huo-wang (28 November 2011). "Ideology is the glue that enables real democracy". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  3. ^ Hsiao, Alison (28 April 2013). "Ma breaking promises on nursing conditions: union". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  4. ^ Hsiao, Alison (20 July 2013). "Military's medical service shortcomings highlighted". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  5. ^ "EDITORIAL: Organ smears are a disservice to all". Taipei Times. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  6. ^ Hsu, Stacy (21 November 2014). "KMT lawmakers question NTUH organ harvesting". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  7. ^ Hsu, Stacy (22 November 2014). "Legislator under fire over organ-harvesting claims". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  8. ^ a b Hsu, Stacy (26 November 2014). "2014 ELECTIONS: Petition to oust medical association head delivered". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  9. ^ Loa, Iok-sin; Tseng, Wei-chen (23 November 2014). "2014 ELECTIONS: Legislators' comments on organ harvesting draw ire". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  10. ^ Hsu, Stacy (24 November 2014). "2014 ELECTIONS: Organ allegations cause concern". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  11. ^ Hsu, Stacy (22 December 2014). "Poll finds public reluctant to test for colorectal cancer". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  12. ^ Hsu, Stacy; Shih, Hsiu-chuan (5 July 2015). "Ministry announces medical agreement". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  13. ^ Lee, I-chia (19 November 2015). "Pharmaceutical drug prices too low: KMT legislator". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  14. ^ Lee, I-chia (20 December 2015). "Advanced healthcare directives legalized". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  15. ^ Wang, Flor; Kuo, Chih-hsuan (4 November 2021). "CORONAVIRUS/Four hospitalized after receiving wrong vaccine type". Central News Agency. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Legislative elections and referendums" (PDF). Taipei Times. 13 January 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  17. ^ Wang, Chris (18 November 2011). "2012 ELECTIONS: DPP pans KMT's list of legislator-at-large nominees". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  18. ^ Tzou, Jing-wen (22 May 2012). "Taiwanese legislators ask for WHO and UN status". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Chen's jail conditions to improve: justice minister". Taipei Times. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  20. ^ Shih, Hsiao-kuang (23 February 2012). "KMT lawmakers jostle for seats on committees". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  21. ^ Hsiao, Alison; Shih, Hsiu-chuan (31 May 2013). "Noodle makers pan government". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  22. ^ Hsiao, Alison (10 May 2014). "'Run your own hospital,' legislator tells reformists". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  23. ^ Hsiao, Alison (24 January 2015). "Fisheries Act change prompts outrage". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  24. ^ Lii Wen (22 January 2015). "Activists oppose insurance change". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  25. ^ Shan, Shelley (27 July 2013). "EPA proposal draws mixed reaction". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  26. ^ Lin, Sean (14 January 2015). "Pressure mounts over review of pollution fines". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  27. ^ Lin, Sean (28 October 2014). "Imported oil was for animal feed: minister". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  28. ^ Hsiao, Alison (20 September 2014). "Legislator calls oil safe, chides companies". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  29. ^ Hsu, Stacy (26 March 2015). "Ministry to review Fukushima food ban". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  30. ^ "Philippines mulls visa deal". Taipei Times. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  31. ^ Shih, Hsiu-chuan; Lee, Hsin-fang; Chung, Jake (11 March 2013). "Lawmakers call for tough response to 'pirate' attack". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  32. ^ Loa, Iok-sin (14 May 2013). "Fishermen stage protest at Philippine office in Taipei". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  33. ^ Shih, Hsiu-chuan (9 May 2015). "Detained fishing boat 'was fleeing rough seas'". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  34. ^ Shih, Hsiao-kuang (30 March 2015). "Support grows for younger KMT legislators-at-large". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  35. ^ Hsiao, Alison (19 August 2015). "Another KMT lawmaker drops out". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  36. ^ "Final KMT legislator-at-large list expected Nov. 21". China Post. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  37. ^ "DPP's Pan re-elected Pingtung County chief". Central News Agency. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2022. Republished by the Taiwan News.
  38. ^ Lee, Huei-ting; Lee, Hsin-Yin (27 November 2022). "KMT's Su seeks vote recount in Pingtung magistrate election". Central News Agency. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  39. ^ Lee, Hui-ting; Lin, Sean (8 December 2022). "ELECTIONS 2022/Court dismisses KMT magistrate candidate's request for ballot recount". Central News Agency. Retrieved 10 December 2022. Republished as: "Pingtung court dismisses recount bid by KMT's Su". Taipei Times. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  40. ^ Lin, Tzu-hsuan (23 December 2023). "Ministry urges China to be consistent". Taipei Times. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  41. ^ Lee, Hsin-fang; Chung, Jake (5 April 2014). "TRADE PACT SIEGE: Control Yuan anti-corruption report uncovers the riches of 'Bandit' Chang". Taipei Times. Retrieved 9 January 2022.