Francisco Ou
歐鴻鍊 | |
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Ou in 2009
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 20 May 2008 – 10 September 2009 | |
| Premier | Liu Chao-shiuan |
| Deputy | Andrew Hsia |
| Preceded by | James C. F. Huang Yang Tzu-pao (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Yang |
| Ambassador of the Republic of ChinatoGuatemala | |
| In office 1 October 2002 – 1 May 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Francisco Lung |
| Succeeded by | Adolfo Sun |
| In office 1990–1996 | |
| Preceded by | Loh I-cheng |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Wu |
| Ambassador of the Republic of ChinatoNicaragua | |
| In office 24 August 1984 – 23 December 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Mao Chi-hsien |
| Succeeded by | Yu Chengren |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1940-01-05)5 January 1940 Hsinchu, Taiwan, Empire of Japan |
| Died | 30 October 2021(2021-10-30) (aged 81) |
| Nationality | Republic of China |
| Alma mater | National Chengchi University |
| Profession | diplomat |
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Francisco H.L. Ou (traditional Chinese: 歐鴻鍊; simplified Chinese: 欧鸿链; pinyin: Oū Hóngliàn; 5 January 1940 – 30 October 2021) was a Taiwanese diplomat. He was ambassador of the Republic of China to Nicaragua and Guatemala before serving as foreign minister during the Ma Ying-jeou presidential administration.
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.
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).
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]
Ou resigned from his post effective 10 September 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]
Ou was fluent in Taiwanese, Mandarin Chinese, English, French, and Spanish. He was also an avid table tennis player.
Ou reportedly underwent surgery in August 2021, and was hospitalized before his death on 30 October 2021, aged 81.[5][6]
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