Wu Chin-fa

Wu was born on 14 September 1954, in Meinong, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.[1] He is of Hakka and indigenous descent.[2][3] Wu earned his bachelor's degree in sociology at National Chung Hsing University.[1] He was an editorial writer for Taiwan Daily and hosted a talk show.[1][4]

Wu's writing often explores ethnic conflict on Taiwan from the perspective of youths. His books include Street of Crying Swallows (1985); The Autumn Chrysanthemum (1988); Spring and Autumn Tea House (1988); and A Boyhood Trilogy (2005). The Autumn Chrysanthemum became the basis of the film Youth Without Regret.[1][3]

Wu contested the Sanmin District seat on the Kaohsiung City Council during the 2002 municipal elections, representing the Taiwan Solidarity Union. He and another TSU candidate, Chen Ying-tsan, split the vote, and neither were elected.[5] In November 2003, legislator Chiu Yi accused Chang Hsia, Shieh Jhy-wey, Lin Kuei-you, and Wu of writing for Special Report,[6] a series ridiculing active politicians produced by Bi-sheng Broadcasting.[7] The parties involved exchanged lawsuits.[8][9] In December 2003, Chiang, Lin, Shieh, and Wu founded the online television channel F4.[4]

On 8 June 2004, Wu was sworn in as vice chairman of the Council of Cultural Affairs (CCA), succeeding Wu Mi-cha.[10] While in office, Wu Chin-fa spoke at several domestic cultural commemoration events, among them the 2004 Joint Outdoor Puppet Performance and Contest for Promising Young Leading Performers,[11] for the Tsou leader Uyongu Yata'uyungana and Puyuma musician BaLiwakes,[12][13] and at the Green Island Human Rights Arts Festival in 2008.[14] As vice chair of the CCA, Wu also participated in international cultural outreach.[15][16][17] He worked to preserve Losheng Sanatorium,[18][19] and founded culture.tw, an English language web portal financed by the Council for Cultural Affairs and operated by the Central News Agency.[20][21]

After leaving the Council for Cultural Affairs, Wu was sought for political commentary.[22][23] He later became director of Pingtung County Government's Cultural Affairs Department. In this position, he supported the preservation of Makatao culture via financial help from the local government.[24] As cultural director, Wu visited sites in Pingtung dating back to Taiwan's Qing and Japanese eras.[25][26] In 2017, Wu worked with the Ministry of Culture to exhibit letters written by political prisoners during the White Terror at Pingtung County's cultural affairs office.[27]