Overview
Chen Yu-mei (陳玉梅; Chén Yùméi; 22 July 1966 – 22 January 2017) was a politician in the Republic of China. She is best known for serving as Deputy Minister of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) of the Executive Yuan from 18 September 2013 until her resignation on 8 August 2014.
Position and responsibilities
As Deputy Minister of the OCAC, Chen worked within the agency tasked with connecting the Taiwanese government and its overseas communities. The council’s remit includes cultural outreach, support for expatriates and their descendants, language and education initiatives, and facilitation of ties between overseas Taiwanese and institutions at home. In her role she would have been involved in policy implementation, liaison with community organizations, and programs aimed at preserving cultural identity among overseas Taiwanese.
Career timeline
Chen’s appointment on 18 September 2013 placed her among senior officials in the Executive Yuan, Taiwan’s executive branch. She held the deputy minister portfolio for just under eleven months, resigning on 8 August 2014 to pursue other career plans. Following her departure, Hsin Shih-chang, a professor at National Taiwan Normal University, was named as her successor.
Context and significance
The OCAC is a longstanding agency focused on maintaining connections between Taiwan and its global diaspora. Leaders of the council, including deputy ministers, play a practical role in shaping outreach strategies, educational programs and community services. Officials such as Chen contribute to sustaining transnational networks that affect cultural exchange, investment, and educational ties.
Death and legacy
Chen Yu-mei died on 22 January 2017. While her tenure at the OCAC was relatively brief, her service is recorded as part of the council’s ongoing efforts to strengthen relations with overseas Taiwanese. Her succession by an academic figure underscored the OCAC’s link to educational and cultural institutions.