Wang Chih-kang (王志剛/CNA file photo)

Taipei, Jan. 18 (CNA) Wang Chih-kang (王志剛), a former economics minister, was named Friday to succeed the late Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) as chairman of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER), one of the country's leading think tanks.

Chiang, who also served as chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) from 2008 to 2012, died on Dec. 10, 2018 of multiple organ failure at Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei.

The TIER's top position had been vacant since his death.

Wang, who is currently chairman of CTBC Venture Capital, a subsidiary of CTBC Financial Holding Co., was chosen by TIER's board of directors in a meeting held Friday.

A former economics minister from 1996 to 2000, Wang has also served as chairman of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).

Also on Friday, Chen Shi-kuan (陳思寬) formally took over as president of Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), a Taipei-based international policy think tank for economic and industry-related research.

Chen has a doctorate degree from Yale University in the United States and is currently an economics professor at National Taiwan University (NTU). Her move to head the CIER was delayed for two months because of procedural issues.

(By Pan Tzi-yu and Ko Lin)
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