Jaw Shaw-kong


Jaw Shaw-kong is a Taiwanese media personality and politician.

Education

Jaw earned a degree in agricultural engineering from National Taiwan University in 1972, then attended Clemson University in the United States, where he obtained a master's degree in mechanical engineering.

Political career

Jaw was elected to the Taipei City Council in 1981 and served until 1986, when he was elected to the Legislative Yuan. In 1991, he was tabbed to lead the Environmental Protection Administration. Against the wishes of his party, the Kuomintang, Jaw resigned from the EPA to seek reelection to the legislature. Despite the party's refusal to support him, Jaw won a record number of votes. He later became a member of the New Kuomintang Alliance and the Breakfast Club, set up in opposition to party chairman Lee Teng-hui. In August 1993, he co-founded the New Party. The next year, Jaw contested the Taipei City mayoralty, and lost to Chen Shui-bian. Jaw announced his intention to retire from politics in July 1996. He was named an adviser to Kuomintang candidates during the 2010 election cycle. In 2017, Jaw stated that he was an independent.

Media career

Soon after ending his political career, Jaw founded UFO Radio. He also owned News98 and served as its president. In 2004, Jaw, a staunch supporter of unification, was invited to debate the referendum on Cross-Strait relations. In 2006, Jaw acquired the Broadcasting Corporation of China. He has also hosted his own radio and television programs.

Personal life

Though Jaw is of Mainlander ancestry, he is fluent in Taiwanese Hokkien. He is married to Liang Lei. Jaw's younger brother Chao Shao-wei has served as president of the Taipei Artist Agency Association.