View source for Frank Hsieh

{{family name hatnote|[[Xie (surname)|Hsieh]]|lang=Taiwanese}}
{{Short description|Premier of Taiwan from 2005 to 2006}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox Prime Minister
| name                = Frank Hsieh
| native_name         = {{nobold|謝長廷}}
| honorific-prefix    = [[Ambassador]]
| native_name_lang    = zh-tw
| honorific-suffix    = [[List of members of the Legislative Yuan|MLY]]
| image               = 謝長廷院長.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2005
| office1             = [[Senior Advisor|Senior Advisor to the President]]
| term_start1         = 1 August 2024
| term_end1           = 
| president1          = [[Lai Ching-te]]
| office2             = 12th [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan|Representative of Taiwan to Japan]]
| term_start2         = 9 June 2016
| term_end2           = 6 August 2024
| president2          = [[Tsai Ing-wen]]<br>[[Lai Ching-te]]
| 1blankname2         = Minister
| 1namedata2          = {{List collapsed|title=''[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)|MOFA]]''|1={{plain list|[[David Lee (Taiwanese politician)|David Lee]]<br>{{wrap}}[[Joseph Wu]]<br>[[Lin Chia-lung]]}}}}
{{List collapsed|title=''[[Taiwan–Japan Relations Association|TJRA]]''|1={{plain list|[[Chiou I-jen]]<br>{{wrap}}[[Su Jia-chyuan]]}}}}
| predecessor2        = Shen Ssu-tsun
| successor2          = [[Lee I-yang]]
| order3              = 8th
| office3             = Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party
| term_label3         = Acting
| term_start3         = 12 January 2008
| term_end3           = 20 May 2008
| predecessor3        = [[Chen Shui-bian]]
| successor3          = [[Tsai Ing-wen]]
| term_start4         = 20 April 2000
| term_end4           = 21 July 2002
| deputy4             = {{list collapsed|title=''See list''|[[Yu Shyi-kun]]<br>[[Wu Nai-ren]]<br>[[Chang Chun-hsiung]]}}
| predecessor4        = [[Lin Yi-hsiung]]
| successor4          = [[Chen Shui-bian]]
| order5              = 16th
| office5             = Premier of Taiwan
| president5          = [[Chen Shui-bian]]
| term_start5         = 1 February 2005
| term_end5           = 25 January 2006
| 1blankname5         = [[Vice Premier of the Republic of China|Vice Premier]]
| 1namedata5          = [[Wu Rong-i]]
| predecessor5        = [[Yu Shyi-kun]]
| successor5          = [[Su Tseng-chang]]
| order6              = 2nd
| office6             = Mayor of Kaohsiung
| term_start6         = 25 December 1998
| term_end6           = 1 February 2005
| predecessor6        = [[Wu Den-yih]]
| successor6          = [[Chen Chi-mai]] (acting)
| office7             = [[Member of the Legislative Yuan]]
| term_start7         = 1 February 1993
| term_end7           = 31 January 1996
| predecessor7        = 
| successor7          = 
| constituency7       = [[Taipei 2nd district|Taipei II]]
| order8              = 
| term_start8         = 1 February 1990
| term_end8           = 31 January 1993
| predecessor8        = 
| successor8          = 
| constituency8       = [[Taipei 1st district|Taipei I]]
| office9             = [[Taipei City Council|Taipei City Councillor]]
| term_start9         = 25 December 1981
| term_end9           = 25 December 1989
| predecessor9        = 
| successor9          = 
| constituency9       = [[Taipei]] II (Chiencheng, Yianping, [[Zhongshan District, Taipei|Zhongshan]])
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1946|05|18}}
| birth_place         = [[Taipei]], [[Taiwan]]
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| spouse              = Yu Fang-chih
| party               = [[Democratic Progressive Party]]
| occupation          = {{hlist|Politician|lawyer}}
| education           = [[National Taiwan University]] ([[LL.B.|LLB]])<br />[[Kyoto University]] ([[MJur]])
| module              = {{Infobox Chinese
| child = yes
| t = 謝長廷
| s = 谢长廷
| p = Xiè Chángtíng
| tp = Siè Cháng-tíng
| poj = Siā Tiông-têng / Chiā Tiông-têng
| bpmf = ㄒㄧㄝˋ ㄔㄤˊ ㄊㄧㄥˊ
| w = {{tone superscript|Hsieh4 Ch'ang2-t'ing2}}
}}
}}

'''Frank Hsieh Chang-ting''' ({{zh|t=謝長廷 <!--|s=谢长廷-->|first=t}}; born May 18, 1946) is a Taiwanese politician and former defense attorney who served as [[Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan|Ambassador]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.roc-taiwan.org/jp/post/31497.html|title=駐日代表謝長廷大使出席宋隆泉「臺灣的自由風景」攝影展開幕式|work=台北駐日經濟文化代表處|date=2024-05-19}}</ref> of [[Taiwan]] to [[Japan]] from 2016 to 2024. A cofounder of the [[Democratic Progressive Party]], he has served on the [[Taipei City Council]], the [[Legislative Yuan]], as the mayor of [[Kaohsiung City]], and as the [[Premier of Taiwan]] (President of the [[Executive Yuan]]) under president [[Chen Shui-bian]]. Hsieh was the DPP nominee in the [[2008 ROC presidential election|2008 presidential election]] and was defeated by [[Ma Ying-jeou]].

==Early life and education==
Born in [[Dadaocheng]], Taipei, in 1946, Hsieh was a gymnast in high school and worked as a food vendor before college.<ref name="Hwang">{{cite news|last1=Hwang|first1=Jim|title=Finding Common Ground|url=http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=30023&ctNode=2177|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=March 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509140548/http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=30023&ctNode=2177|archive-date=May 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Ian|title=Taiwan Heads for Thaw With China|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120595549119949419|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=Wall Street Journal|date=March 20, 2008}}</ref> He received a [[Bachelor of Laws]] (LL.B.) degree from [[National Taiwan University]]. Hsieh then obtained a [[master's degree]] and later completed doctoral coursework ([[all but dissertation]]) in [[jurisprudence]] at the [[Graduate School of Law and Faculty of Law, Kyoto University|Graduate School of Law]] of [[Kyoto University]] in Japan.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hsu|first1=Stacy |date=June 10, 2016 |title=Hsieh promises to deepen ties with Japan|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2016/06/10/2003648280|access-date=June 10, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] }}</ref> He was a practicing attorney from 1969 to 1981,<ref>{{cite news|title=Presidential election 2008: 1 days to go:Profiles of presidential candidates|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/03/21/2003406573|access-date=June 10, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> serving as a defense attorney in the martial courts following the [[Kaohsiung Incident]] of 1980.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chao|first1=Vincent Y.|title=Thousands remember Incident|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/12/13/2003460852|access-date=June 9, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=December 13, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chao|first1=Vincent Y.|title=Academics acknowledge sacrifice made by protesters|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/12/13/2003460859|access-date=June 9, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=December 13, 2009}}</ref>

==Rise in politics==
Prior to the 1986 establishment of the Democratic Progressive Party, Hsieh, [[Chen Shui-bian]] and [[Lin Cheng-chieh]] were known as the "three musketeers" of the [[tangwai movement]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ko|first1=Shu-ling|title=Hsieh, Chen are friendly rivals|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/01/30/2003221519|access-date=June 10, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=January 30, 2005}}</ref> Hsieh cofounded the party and was the one who proposed its current name.<ref name="jptko"/> He has also served as its chairman twice. A two-time Taipei City councilor from 1981 to 1988, Hsieh was then elected to the [[Legislative Yuan]], the next year, and won reelection in 1992.<ref>{{cite news|title=President Chen and Frank Hsieh share long history|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2005/01/26/57496/President-Chen.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124034045/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2005/01/26/57496/President-Chen.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2018|access-date=June 9, 2016|work=China Post|date=January 26, 2005}}</ref> Instead of running for reelection in the 1995 legislative elections, Hsieh chose to run in the 1994 Taipei mayoral election, and lost a primary to eventual winner [[Chen Shui-bian]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Sherry|title=Presidential Candidate Frank Hsieh|url=http://english.cw.com.tw/article.do?action=show&id=3445|access-date=June 9, 2016|work=CommonWealth Magazine|date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> In September 1995, [[Peng Ming-min]] and Hsieh were placed on the Democratic Progressive Party ticket for the [[1996 ROC presidential election|1996 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sheng|first1=Virginia|title=Independents fault sign-up rules; One presidential hopeful abandons race in protest|url=http://www.taiwantoday.tw/fp.asp?xItem=13887&CtNode=122|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=January 12, 1996|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816150453/http://www.taiwantoday.tw/fp.asp?xItem=13887&CtNode=122|archive-date=August 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Lin|first1=Enru|title=No running mates in 100-day stretch|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/presidential-election/2015/10/25/449205/No-running.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025032419/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/presidential-election/2015/10/25/449205/No-running.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2015|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=China Post|date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> They finished second with 21.1% of the vote.

==Kaohsiung mayoralty==
In 1997, Hsieh successfully negotiated the surrender of the gunman in the [[Alexander family hostage crisis]], raising his national profile.

To the surprise of many observers, Hsieh won the 1998 [[Kaohsiung City]] mayoral election, and defeated the Kuomintang incumbent, [[Wu Den-yih]], by 4,565 votes.<ref name="jacobstt"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Joei|first1=Bernard T. K.|title=Looking Back, Looking Forth|url=http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xitem=1369&ctnode=122&mp=9|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=February 1, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816145854/http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xitem=1369&ctnode=122&mp=9|archive-date=August 16, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> His administration focused on improving water quality in surrounding rivers as well as a general overhaul of the [[port of Kaohsiung]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cheng|first1=Brian|title=Government shines spotlight on port cities; Future brighter for Kaohsiung|url=http://taiwantoday.tw/fp.asp?xItem=18297&CtNode=122|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=October 27, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816152507/http://taiwantoday.tw/fp.asp?xItem=18297&CtNode=122|archive-date=August 16, 2016}}</ref> Hsieh supported placing the port, at the time run largely by the central government, under the jurisdiction of [[Kaohsiung City Government]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Huang|first1=Joyce|title=Chen lauds merger of Kaohsiung port|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2001/05/12/0000085379|access-date=June 10, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=May 12, 2001}}</ref> Under Hsieh's leadership efforts to clean up the heavily polluted [[Love River]] began in 1999, and ended in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Huang|first1=Jewel|title=Boats to consummate Love River cleanup|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/01/08/2003086772|access-date=June 10, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=January 8, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chou|first1=Wilma|title=Kaohsiung City's Love River brought back from the dead|url=http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=19556&CtNode=122|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=August 23, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816152710/http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=19556&CtNode=122|archive-date=August 16, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also largely responsible for the establishment of the [[Kaohsiung Metro]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Workers reach milestone on metro project|url=http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=22958&ctNode=2194|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=August 4, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kaohsiung signs metro contract|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/kaohsiung-signs-metro-contract.html|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=Railway Gazette|date=June 1, 2000|archive-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027143842/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/kaohsiung-signs-metro-contract.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> These achievements helped Hsieh earn strong support among Kaohsiung citizens.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Huang|first1=Jewel|title=Hsieh: 'Our positive thinking's working'|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/12/31/2003217418/1|access-date=June 10, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=December 31, 2004}}</ref> He was [[2002 Republic of China municipal elections|re-elected]] for a four-year term in 2002. Hsieh was projected to win easily, but [[People First Party (Taiwan)|People First Party]] chair [[James Soong]] publicly supported Kuomintang candidate [[Huang Jun-ying]], which helped Huang earn more votes.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lam|first1=Willy Wo-Lap|title=Surprises in Taiwan's mayoral race|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/east/12/04/taiwan.elex/index.html|access-date=June 11, 2016|publisher=CNN.com|date=December 4, 2002}}</ref> Hsieh defeated Huang by 24,838 votes (3.22%).<ref name="jacobstt">{{cite news|author-link1=J. Bruce Jacobs|last1=Jacobs|first1=J. Bruce|title=A Tale of Two Cities|url=http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xitem=822&ctnode=1343&mp=9|access-date=June 11, 2016|work=Taipei Review|date=March 1, 2003}}</ref>

==Premiership and aftermath==
In January 2005, Hsieh was appointed premier, forcing him to leave his post as mayor of [[Kaohsiung]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Silitonga|first1=Siska|title=Taiwan President Picks New Cabinet Leader|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2005-01-25-voa15/305196.html|access-date=June 10, 2016|agency=Voice of America|date=January 25, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chen names Frank Hsieh as new premier|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/detail.asp?id=57447|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027143809/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/detail.asp?id=57447|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=China Post|date=January 26, 2005}}</ref> [[Chen Chi-mai]] succeeded him as acting mayor.

Kuomintang politicians asked Hsieh to step down from the premiership shortly after the [[Kaohsiung MRT foreign workers scandal]] broke.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ko|first1=Shu-ling|title=Pan-blues demand Frank Hsieh's head over KRTC|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/11/15/2003280215|access-date=June 10, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=November 15, 2005}}</ref> Hsieh eventually resigned as premier in the aftermath of the [[2005 Republic of China local elections|2005 "Three-in-One" elections]], which the DPP lost in a landslide.<ref>{{cite news|title=Taiwan's Premier Resigns After Defeat|url=http://newsok.com/article/3053170|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=The Oklahoman|agency=Associated Press|date=May 12, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Taiwanese Premier Hsieh resigns|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4619216.stm|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=BBC News|date=January 17, 2006}}</ref>

As the DPP candidate for the [[2006 Republic of China municipal elections|2006 Taipei Mayoral election]], Hsieh lost the race to KMT candidate [[Hau Lung-pin]] by 166,216 votes (12.92%).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chung|first1=Lawrence|title=KMT seen as the loser despite victory in capital|url=https://www.scmp.com/article/574880/kmt-seen-loser-despite-victory-capital|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=South China Morning Post|date=December 10, 2006}}</ref> The loss was largely expected, as Taipei was considered a Kuomintang stronghold.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Ramzy|first1=Austin|title=Back in the Game|url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1568550,00.html|access-date=June 10, 2016|magazine=Time|date=December 11, 2006}}</ref>

In February 2007, he led the Taiwanese delegation to the 55th annual United States [[National Prayer Breakfast]] in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Congressional Committee, with dignitaries including President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Huang|first1=Jewel|title=Frank Hsieh set to attend US National Prayer Breakfast|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/12/30/2003342618|access-date=June 10, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=December 30, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=DPP's Hsieh arrives in U.S. to attend prayer breakfast|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2007/02/01/101442/DPPs-Hsieh.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027144140/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2007/02/01/101442/DPPs-Hsieh.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=China Post|agency=Central News Agency|date=February 1, 2007}}</ref>

==2008 presidential campaign==
{{See also|2008 Republic of China presidential election}}

Hsieh was frequently considered to be a leading contender for the DPP nomination in the [[2008 ROC presidential election|2008 presidential election]], and formally announced his intention to run in the election on February 16, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mo|first1=Yan-chih|title=Hsieh throws hat in ring for 2008 race|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2007/02/17/2003349353|access-date=June 11, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=February 17, 2007}}</ref> Hsieh was the second to formally declared candidacy, after the Kuomintang's Ma Ying-jeou did so three days prior.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Rich|last2=Mo|first2=Yan-chih|title=Ma starts 2008 bid after indictment|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2007/02/13/2003348887 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=February 13, 2007}}</ref> Hsieh won 45% of the vote in the Democratic Progressive Party primary.<ref>{{cite news|title=Frank Hsieh wins DPP primaries|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/latestnews/200757/45953.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114011556/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/latestnews/200757/45953.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 14, 2013|access-date=June 11, 2016|work=China Post|date=May 7, 2007}}</ref> A scheduled straw poll was cancelled after his three primary opponents all conceded defeat, and Hsieh was declared the DPP nominee.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Young|first1=David|title=Hsieh confirmed as DPP candidate|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/front/200758/109044.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927194919/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/front/200758/109044.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2007|access-date=June 11, 2016|work=China Post|date=May 8, 2007}}</ref> In July 2007, Hsieh visited the [[United States]], branding it "the journey of Love and Trust" ({{zh|labels=no|t=「愛與信任」之旅}}).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chung|first1=Lawrence|title=DPP's presidential contender on a mission of 'love and trust' to the US|url=https://www.scmp.com/article/601307/dpps-presidential-contender-mission-love-and-trust-us|access-date=June 11, 2016|work=South China Morning Post|date=July 21, 2007}}</ref> In September 2007, Hsieh openly declared that he was running for the presidency of the [[State of Taiwan]] ({{zh|labels=no|t=台灣國}}), saying that "recogniz[ing] ourselves (the [[Taiwanese people]]) as a nation first and then fight[ing] for what we want during negotiations with other countries" is important.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mo|first1=Yan-chih|last2=Wang|first2=Flora|title=Ma attacks Hsieh over 'Republic of Taiwan'|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/09/06/2003377437|access-date=June 11, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=September 6, 2007}}</ref> As a result of the Kuomintang's allegations of graft against Hsieh, prosecutors began an investigation of him in 2007. The investigation ended in September, when it was announced that Hsieh would not be charged with wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Taiwan's ruling party chairman resigns|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-09-21-1400538320_x.htm|access-date=June 11, 2016|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=September 22, 2007}}</ref>

Regarding [[Ma Ying-jeou]]'s idea of a "cross-strait common market," Hsieh states that if Taiwan only focuses on the economy, it will end up like [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]], whose only goal in life is to make money. Hsieh believes that improving the economy is as important as preserving national dignity, and that the goal of economic development is more than just making money, but it is also improving the happiness of people.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ko|first1=Shu-ling|title=Hsieh clarifies stance on investment from China|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/10/19/2003383788|access-date=June 11, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=October 19, 2007}}</ref>

Following the DPP's poor performance in the [[2008 Republic of China legislative election|2008 legislative election]], Hsieh replaced Chen Shui-bian as party chairman.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ko|first1=Shu-ling|last2=Shih|first2=Hsiu-chuan|title=DPP to elect new chairman on May 25|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/03/26/2003407115|access-date=June 11, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=March 26, 2008}}</ref>

In January 2008, Hsieh accused candidate [[Ma Ying-jeou]] of having a United States [[Permanent residence (United States)|green card]]. Subsequent investigations revealed that one of Ma's sisters and one of his two daughters are [[US citizen]]s. Hsieh stated that if Ma made public documented proof that he had renounced the green card, Hsieh would withdraw from the election.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shan|first1=Shelley|title=6 days to go: Chen vows to quit if Ma proves he has no green card|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/03/16/2003405765|access-date=June 11, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=March 16, 2008}}</ref>

The election was devastating to Hsieh and the DPP because he lost by a wider-than-expected margin of 17%. Hsieh had stated that if he lost this election, he would not run for office again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/03/23/2003406736|title=Presidential election 2008: Losing Ticket: Hsieh congratulates the victor|date=March 23, 2008|access-date=October 10, 2013|first=Shu-ling|last=Ko|publisher=Taipei Times}}</ref> He resigned from the DPP chairmanship to take responsibility for the defeat.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ko|first1=Shu-ling|title=Hsieh resigns as chairman of the DPP|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/03/27/2003407236|access-date=June 11, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=March 27, 2008}}</ref> [[Tsai Ing-wen]] was elected as the new chairperson of the DPP.

In July 2010, Hsieh stood for the DPP's central committee standing membership election and won.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chao|first1=Vincent Y.|title=Frank Hsieh to run for spot on DPP's standing committee|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/06/08/2003474955|access-date=June 12, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=June 8, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Frank Hsieh apologizes for breaking vow to leave politics|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/taipei/2010/07/26/266124/Frank-Hsieh.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616183729/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/taipei/2010/07/26/266124/Frank-Hsieh.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2016|access-date=June 12, 2016|work=China Post|date=July 26, 2010}}</ref>

==Cross-strait relations==

===2012 mainland visit===

In October 2012, Hsieh went to [[mainland China]] for five days as the highest-ranking DPP official ever to visit. However, the trip was made in no political capacity, but rather as a private citizen. He visited [[Xiamen]] and the [[Dongshan County|Dongshan Islands]] in [[Fujian]] as well as [[Beijing]] on October 4–8.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2012/10/02/2003544157 |title=Frank Hsieh confirms visit to China |publisher=Taipei Times |date=June 2, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014}}</ref>

He met with then [[State Councilor]] [[Dai Bingguo]], then President [[Chen Yunlin]] of the [[Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits]] and then Director [[Wang Yi (politician)|Wang Yi]] of the [[Taiwan Affairs Office]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Although both sides agreed on the [[One-China policy]], which governs [[Cross-Strait relations]], Hsieh prefers to have a new consensus he called {{ill|Two Sides, Two Constitutions|zh|憲法各表}} instead of the [[1992 consensus]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Hsieh reiterated his "Two Sides, Two Constitutions" initiative while on an April 2013 visit to the United States, and urged [[Government of China|Beijing]] to accept difference across the [[Taiwan Strait]] for both sides being able to facilitate dialogue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/04/12/2003559436 |title=Hsieh defends cross-strait initiative |publisher=Taipei Times |date=June 2, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014}}</ref>

===Hong Kong cross-strait forum===

In late June 2013, Hsieh attended a two-day forum on [[cross-strait relations]] entitled "Development and Innovation of Cross-Strait Relations" in [[Hong Kong]]. The forum was co-organized by Taiwan-based [[Taiwan Reform Foundation]] and Beijing-based [[Taiwan Research Institute]]. Before the forum, Hsieh attended a dinner hosted by [[Tung Chee Hwa]], former [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]] on Friday evening.<ref>{{cite web |author=(GMT+8) |url=http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20130629000084&cid=1101 |title=Frank Hsieh calls for tolerance in cross-strait relations｜Politics｜News｜WantChinaTimes.com |publisher=Wantchinatimes.com |date=June 29, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130701061125/http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20130629000084&cid=1101 |archive-date=July 1, 2013  }}</ref>

Hsieh said that mutual trust between DPP and [[Government of China|Beijing]] was important and that all of the bilateral exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should benefit the public and address their needs. He also added that rebalancing cross-strait interactions is important as well. He once again reiterated his '[[constitutions with different interpretations]]' view that Taipei and Beijing can coexist if both sides respect each other's constitutional legitimacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/07/01/2003566053 |title=Hsieh wraps up cross-strait forum in HK |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=June 2, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014}}</ref>

==ROC representative to Japan==
In March 2016, local media began reporting that Hsieh had accepted a position as Taiwan's representative to Japan in [[Tsai Ing-wen]]'s administration.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hsieh likely next envoy to Japan|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/03/22/2003642164|access-date=June 9, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> He announced the appointment in late April,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Loa|first1=Iok-sin|title=Hsieh confirms his appointment as envoy to Japan|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/04/28/2003645012|access-date=June 9, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=April 28, 2016}}</ref> and made his first official visit to Japan on June 9.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lu|first1=Hsin-hui|last2=Liu|first2=Kay|title=Frank Hsieh arrives in Tokyo as Taiwan's envoy to Japan|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201606090008.aspx|access-date=June 9, 2016|agency=Central News Agency|date=June 9, 2016}}</ref> Ko Shu-ling of the [[Kyodo News]] wrote favorably of Hsieh's appointment, stating that the focus on [[Cross-Strait relations|Cross-Strait]] and [[Taiwan–United States relations]] under previous administrations seemed to be rolled back in favor of a [[New Southbound Policy|"southward" policy]], a goal of the Tsai presidency.<ref name="jptko">{{cite news|last1=Ko|first1=Shu-Ling|title=Taipei's new Tokyo envoy pick has affinity for Japan, looks to strengthen ties|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/05/03/national/politics-diplomacy/taipeis-new-tokyo-envoy-pick-has-affinity-for-japan-looks-to-strengthen-ties/|access-date=June 9, 2016|work=The Japan Times|date=May 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chen|first1=Hui-ping|title=Tsai to chase 'new southward policy'|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/03/21/2003642086|access-date=June 9, 2016|date=March 21, 2016}}</ref> Hsieh has discussed the possible lifting of Taiwanese restrictions on imports from [[Fukushima Prefecture]], which had been put in place as a result of the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]], the cause of meltdowns at the [[Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster|Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Taiwan's new envoy indicates import ban on Japanese food may be lifted|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/08/national/politics-diplomacy/taiwans-new-envoy-indicates-import-ban-japanese-food-may-lifted/|access-date=June 9, 2016|work=The Japan Times|date=June 8, 2016}}</ref> Hsieh left his post in mid-August 2024, and is to be replaced by [[Lee I-yang]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wen |first1=Kuei-hsiang |last2=Hsiao |first2=Alison |title=INTERVIEW/Taiwan's new envoy to Japan vows to boost semiconductor, security cooperation |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202408160017 |access-date=17 August 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=17 August 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Hsieh is married to Yu Fang-chih ({{zh|labels=no|c=游芳枝}});<ref>{{cite news|title=Cult leader for real, Hsieh's wife says|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2002/12/11/0000186722|access-date=December 18, 2014 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=December 11, 2002}}</ref> together, they have a daughter<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mo|first1=Yan-chih|title=Children celebrate Anderson's tales|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/04/03/2003248901|access-date=December 18, 2014 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=April 3, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ko|first1=Shu-ling|title=Frank Hsieh's 'Little Penguin' weds|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2002/04/01/130050|access-date=July 30, 2017 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=April 1, 2002}}</ref> and a son, who served in the military on [[Dongyin, Lienchiang|Tungyin Island]] (Dongyin)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/08TAIPEI324/page/n1|title=NO SURPRISES AS BOTH CANDIDATES ACQUIT THEMSELVES WELL IN TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=September 1, 2019|publisher=[[US Department of State]]|quote=In a dig at Ma and his family, Hsieh said, 'Taiwan is my only choice – my family members do not possess foreign passports; my son is serving in the military on Tungyin in Matsu.'}}</ref> and has served as Taipei City councilor since 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Chris|title=Hsieh Wei-chou wins Taipei nomination|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/05/01/2003589313|access-date=December 29, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=May 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Lin|first1=Sean|title=Hsieh Wei-chou rebuts gambling report|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/12/29/2003662122|access-date=December 29, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> Hsieh's mother died in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Frank Hsieh mourns his mother's passing in blog|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2007/04/10/106749/Frank-Hsieh.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731000319/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2007/04/10/106749/frank-hsieh.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2017|access-date=June 10, 2016|work=China Post|agency=Central News Agency|date=April 10, 2007}}</ref>

Hsieh and nine other Democratic Progressive Party politicians performed traditional Taiwanese songs on a re-release of the album ''Oh! Formosa'' in 2000.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Real Dolls, Taiwan R&B, Eurasian Fusion|magazine=Billboard|date=August 19, 2000|volume=112|issue=34|page=54|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UBAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> He later learned to play the ocarina, and released his own album in 2005.<ref name="Hwang"/>

Hsieh first claimed part-[[Taiwanese aborigines|aboriginal]] descent in 2005,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rickards|first1=Jane|title=Taiwanese have indigenous roots|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2005/08/10/66709/Taiwanese-have.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809131657/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/2005/08/10/66709/Taiwanese-have.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 9, 2014|access-date=June 11, 2016|work=[[The China Post]] |date=August 10, 2005}}</ref> and stated that he enjoyed [[Bunun people|Bunun]] music.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chuang|first1=Jimmy|title=Hsieh says he is part Aboriginal; declares new day|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/07/26/2003265084|access-date=June 11, 2016 |work=[[Taipei Times]] |date=July 26, 2005}}</ref>

He is also of seventh generation [[Han Chinese|native Taiwanese]] of [[Hoklo people|Hoklo descent]]; his ancestor Hsieh Kuang-yu ({{zh|labels=no|t=謝光玉}}) migrated from Tongshan, a village in [[Fujian province]], the ancestral hometown being [[Zhao'an County]] (now part of [[Dongshan County]]).<ref>{{cite web| title = Key Taiwan opposition figure in China visit| publisher = [[BBC News]]| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19825272| date = October 4, 2012| quote = He will visit Dongshan island, the home of his ancestors, and the Olympic stadium in Beijing.| access-date = December 19, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Ramzy|first1=Austin|title=Quiet Reception as Taiwan Opposition-Party Heavyweight Visits China|url=https://world.time.com/2012/10/04/quiet-reception-as-taiwan-opposition-party-heavyweight-visits-china/|access-date=December 18, 2014|magazine=Time|date=October 4, 2012}}</ref>

==Honours==
*[[File:JPN Kyokujitsu-sho 1Class BAR.svg|55px|ribbon bar]] [[Order of the Rising Sun|Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun]] (2025)<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100928066.pdf|title= 2025 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals|access-date= 4 November 2025|date= 3 November 2025|website= Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|d=Q472310|c=category:Frank Hsieh|n=Frank Hsieh named new Taiwanese premier|b=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080212140922/http://www.frankhsieh.com/ Personal website]

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[[Category:1946 births]]
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[[Category:Cheng Kung Senior High School alumni]]
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[[Category:Taiwanese Buddhists]]
[[Category:Taiwanese Taoists]]
[[Category:Taiwanese people of Hoklo descent]]
[[Category:Members of the 1st Legislative Yuan in Taiwan]]
[[Category:National Taiwan University alumni]]
[[Category:Politicians of the Republic of China on Taiwan from Taipei]]
[[Category:Premiers of the Republic of China on Taiwan]]
[[Category:Kyoto University alumni]]
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[[Category:Representatives of Taiwan to Japan]]
[[Category:Taipei City Councilors]]
[[Category:Grand Cordons of the Order of the Rising Sun]]