Francisco Ou

Francisco H.L. Ou (Chinese: 歐鴻鍊; pinyin: Oū Hóngliàn; born January 5, 1940) is a former diplomat, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China serving under President Ma Ying-Jeou from 2008 to 2009.

Francisco Ou
歐鴻鍊
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China
In office
20 May 2008 – 10 September 2009
DeputyAndrew Hsia
Preceded byJames C. F. Huang
Yang Tzu-pao (acting)
Succeeded byTimothy Yang
Ambassador of the Republic of China to Guatemala
In office
1 October 2002 – 1 May 2008
Preceded byFrancisco Lung
Succeeded byAdolfo Sun
In office
1990–1996
Preceded byLoh I-cheng
Succeeded byAndrew Wu
Ambassador of the Republic of China to Nicaragua
In office
24 August 1984 – 23 December 1985
Preceded byMao Chi-hsien
Succeeded byYu Chengren
Personal details
Born5 January 1940 (1940-01-05) (age 80)
Hsinchu, Taiwan, Empire of Japan
NationalityRepublic of China
Alma materNational Chengchi University
ProfessionDiplomat

Early life

Ou was born in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and raised in Hualien. His father was arrested during the February 28 Incident in 1947. He and his family lived in poverty during his younger days. Ou received his BA from National Chengchi University in 1962.

Political career

Upon graduation, he then went on to serve in the government in several diplomatic capacities, mostly with Central and South American nations. He was also the Spanish interpreter for late President Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-Kuo. Ou served as Embassy secretary to Peru (1967–71), ambassador to Nicaragua (1984–85) and Guatemala (1990–96, 2003-8). He has also been director of the Far East Commercial Office in Santiago, Chile (1975-1981), director of the Taiwan Commercial Office in Argentina (1986–90) and representative for the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Spain (2000–03).

ROC Foreign Ministry

Foreign ministry appointment

Ou had planned to retire after turning 65 and applied for permanent residency (‘green card’) in the United States of America. Although he had not expected to be tapped as Foreign Minister when Ma Ying-jeou formed his new government in 2008, Ou accepted Ma's offer. He immediately gave up his green card upon accepting his new post. His possession of a green card generated minor controversy in Taiwanese circles as many viewed the possession of extra-Taiwan status (citizenship or even a green card) as being unpatriotic. Ou, however, claimed that he was merely planning for his retirement, for most of his family members live in the US, and applied for a green card out of realistic thinking.[1][2][3]

Foreign ministry resignation

Ou resigned from his post effective September 10, 2009, along with outgoing Premier Liu Chao-Shiuan and the rest of the Cabinet in a reshuffling of government, mostly due to the slow government response handling the Typhoon Morakot aftermath. He was replaced by Timothy Yang, formerly the Republic of China's representative to Indonesia.[4]

Personal life

Ou is fluent in Taiwanese, Mandarin Chinese, English, French, and Spanish. He is also an avid table tennis player.

References
  1. Hsu, Jenny W. (2 July 2008). "Former ministers rally behind Francisco Ou". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  2. Shih, Hsiu-Chuan; Hsu, Jenny W. (6 June 2008). "Green cards could be banned for officials". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  3. Shih, Hsiu-chuan; Hsu, Jenny W. (5 June 2008). "Ou dismisses questions over loyalty, green card". Taipei Times. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. "New Cabinet unveiled". China Post. 10 September 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
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