About Frank Hsieh
Frank Hsieh Chang-ting (Chinese: 謝長廷; pinyin: Xiè Chángtíng; born 18 May 1946) is a Taiwanese politician, diplomat, and former defense attorney who has served as the chairman of the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association since 2026. He was the premier of the Republic of China in the administration of Chen Shui-bian from 2005 to 2006, the mayor of Kaohsiung from 1998 to 2005, and a member of the Legislative Yuan from 1990 to 1996. Born in Taipei, Hsieh earned law degrees from National Taiwan University and Kyoto University in 1970 and 1972, respectively. He practiced law as a defense attorney and rose to prominence as a member of the legal team defending the eight pro-democracy activists arrested in the 1979 Kaohsiung Incident. He was elected to the Taipei City Council in 1981, helped found the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 1986, and was elected a member of the Legislative Yuan in 1990. After serving two terms as mayor of Kaohsiung and a term as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party from 2000 to 2002, Hsieh was named the premier under Chen Shui-bian. At the end of Chen's presidency, he was named the DPP's candidate in the 2008 presidential election, but was defeated by Ma Ying-jeou. He has since held multiple ambassadorial and advisory positions under presidents Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Ching-te. A two-time Taipei City councilor from 1981 to 1988, Hsieh was then elected to the Legislative Yuan, the next year, and won reelection in 1992. To the surprise of many observers, Hsieh won the 1998 Kaohsiung City mayoral election, and defeated the Kuomintang incumbent, Wu Den-yih, by 4,565 votes. Hsieh was projected to win easily, but People First Party chair James Soong publicly supported Kuomintang candidate Huang Jun-ying, which helped Huang earn more votes. Hsieh won 45% of the vote in the Democratic Progressive Party primary. Hsieh was the DPP nominee in the 2008 presidential election and was defeated by Ma Ying-jeou.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.