Education
David Lin graduated with a bachelor and master of commerce degree from the National Chengchi University in Taiwan.
林永樂
David Lin graduated with a bachelor and master of commerce degree from the National Chengchi University in Taiwan.
He was appointed to hold the office on 27 September 2012. He earned his master of science degree from Georgetown University in the United States. Minister of Foreign Affairs appointment
Lin was appointed to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China on 27 September 2012 replacing the incumbent Minister Timothy Yang after the Republic of China cabinet reshuffle.
Republic of China delegates refusal from Jakarta International Defense Dialogue
Commenting on the refusal for Republic of China delegates to attend the Jakarta International Defense Dialogue in Jakarta, Indonesia on 23–25 March 2013 by the event organizer, Lin said that the MOFA needed to communicate with the Indonesian counterpart on the exact reason for the sudden withdrawal of the invitation to the Taiwanese.
Lin acknowledged that this may due to verbal protest from Beijing. Republic of China-Japan fishery agreement signing
After the historic signing on fishery agreement between Republic of China and Japan on 10 April 2013, at a press conference Lin said that the agreement didn"t address the competing claims over the Diaoyutai Islands since both governments set aside the dispute at the moment.
Taiwanese fisherman shooting incident
After the shooting incident of Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine government vessel on 9 May 2013 at the disputed water in South China Sea, Lin demanded the Philippine government to take full responsibility, offer formal apology to the Republic of China government, provide compensation to the family of the fisherman shot and bring those responsible to justice. Lin added that the government understood that the Taiwanese fishing vessel was not involved in illegal fishing prior to the shooting.
He pledged that the Republic of China government would work to discover the truth behind this incident.
He slammed the Philippine government because the incident was a violation of international law because it left the Taiwanese vessel without power. On May 11, 2013, Lin held a meeting with Republic of China President Ma Ying-jeou and Republic of China Minister of Defense Kao Hua-chu at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei in which the Republic of China government gave 72 hours for the Philippine government to give formal apology and bring those responsible for the shooting to justice, if not Taiwan will freeze Philippine worker applications, recall Republic of China representative to the Philippines back to Taiwan and ask the Philippine representative in Taiwan back to the Philippines. Mainland China trade mission establishment in São Paulo Tomé and Príncipe
Commenting on the establishment of Mainland China trade mission office in São Paulo Tomé and Príncipe on November 2013, Lin said that the decision is unlikely to affect the diplomatic relations between Republic of China and São Tomé and Príncipe since both side established diplomatic relations on 6 May 1997, but MOFA will review its existing assistance program to the African country and make any adjustment if necessary.