Chien's grandfather, Lin Cheng-lu (林呈祿), was lauded as the well-known anti-Japan Taiwanese activist during the Japanese occupation period. Moreover, Chien was also a remote relative of Chen-fu Koo (辜振甫), leader of the Koo's group as well as Taiwan's top negotiator with China, according to the book.
With a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from New York University in 1973, Chien first served as professor of chemistry in the department of Aeronautical Engineering at Tamkang University from 1976 to 1978.
After serving as a KMT lawmaker from 1984 to 1987, Chien climbed the political ladder to lead the Environmental Protection Administration for four years before becoming transportation minister.
After his post in London, Chien joined the National Security Council from 1998 to 2000 before taking his current post at the Presidential Office under the DPP administration. Chien then gave up his KMT membership after joining the DPP-led government, sources said.
Others had mixed views on Chien, who has developed a zealous passion for horse-riding during the past two years.
"He is a pragmatic man and is able to handle various tasks in the way an engineer would," said Wang, active in Taipei's beau monde.
"This is a very tough job, a very difficult job," the insider said.
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