TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Academia Sinica (中央研究院), Taiwan's top research institution, will convene its council meeting on Saturday (Dec. 13) to elect three presidential candidates for President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to make the final selection. The current president, James C. Liao (廖俊智), will complete his term on June 20, 2026, having served since 2016. The institution's regulations stipulate a five-year term, with the possibility of one reelection.
Academia Sinica began forming a presidential selection committee in May, which sought nominations from July 1 to Sept. 30. The committee must recommend at least four candidates, with the council electing three. Media reports suggest the list includes former Taiwan Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), Academia Sinica Vice President Chou Mei-yin (周美吟), Academician Cyrus Chu (朱敬一), and an academician in engineering sciences.
Chen Chien-jen, initially the deputy convener of the selection committee, resigned in September after his nomination. Chern Yi-juang (陳儀莊), spokesperson for the 13th Presidential Selection Committee, confirmed Chen Chien-jen's resignation but cited legal constraints in disclosing candidate names. Chen held several roles in Taiwan's government, including Vice President of the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name, and Premier, the head of Taiwan's cabinet. ◼