Lin Li-chan

Lin was born in Cambodia to an ethnic Chinese family of Teochew descent. She is a naturalized citizen of Taiwan. Her father died in a traffic collision, and, when she was 20, her mother married Lin to a Taiwanese man, Hsieh Shui-chin, for money.[1][2] They had two children. She learned Taiwanese Hokkien and Taiwanese Mandarin both around the house and while working at a factory. However, Lin became less able to help her children with schoolwork as they grew older. To improve her fluency in Mandarin, she obtained a master's degree in non-profit organization management at National Chi Nan University.[3][4] Prior to her political career, Lin was engaged in volunteer work for many causes,[3] including the Taiwan New Immigrant Development and Exchange Association.[5] She has also worked in radio.[6]

Lin was named as a candidate for the 2016 legislative election in November 2015.[7][8] Listed fourth on the Kuomintang proportional representation ballot, she became the first immigrant to win a seat in the Legislative Yuan.[3][4]

Near the end of her term in the Ninth Legislative Yuan, Lin was offered an advisory position to the Kaohsiung City Government led by mayor Han Kuo-yu.[9]