Even though he tried to keep his public utterances in relation to the central bank to a minimum after taking up the post of the bank's vice president in August 2000, Chen's characteristic outspokenness on other issues still caused him trouble.
"Chen Shih-meng has never disguised his distaste for the Beijing authorities, which he regards as a monster preparing to swallow up Taiwan," a close aide to the president said.
In May 2000, Chen advocated levying a "national security tax" on Taiwanese businessmen intent on investing in China.
Though his habit of speaking bluntly offends some people and often brings him criticism, the official said, he seems to have learned the art of being diplomatic after his experience at the central bank.
"The reason to summon Chen Shih-meng back to the president's policy-making team is that President Chen believes he can not only fend off attack by the opposition but also has the ability to coordinate the differing opinions swirling about at this time," said the aide.
His love for the humble pig reflects the change in his personality. A high level official from the central bank revealed that Chen wore ties with pigs on them almost every day and collected pig objects -- some brought by his friends -- from all over the world.
"My love for pigs is due to the influence of English politician Winston Churchill," Chen once told reporters, "because Churchill said in his book that pigs always look squarely and steadily at others and not arrogantly or in a self-abased way. It is a way to remind myself to keep my integrity within political circles," Chen said.
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