{{Short description|Taiwanese politician and engineer (born 1972)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Wang Yi-chuan | native_name = {{nobold|王義川}} | image = Wang Yi-chuan talking at Taichung City Council Hall 20180928 (cropped).jpg | caption = Wang in 2018 | image_size = | office1 = Member of the Legislative Yuan | term_start1 = 2 December 2024 | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = Hung Sun-han | successor1 = | constituency1 = Party-list (Democratic Progressive) | party = Democratic Progressive Party | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|3|7|df=y}} | birth_place = Jiali, Tainan County, Taiwan | children = | spouse = | website = | education = National Taiwan University (BS, MS, PhD) | module = {{Infobox scientist | child = yes | field = Civil engineering<br />Transportation engineering | thesis_title = Diversion design of motorcycle traffic space | thesis_year = 2002 | thesis_url = https://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/cgi-bin/gs32/gsweb.cgi?o=dnclcdr&s=id=%22091NTU00015010%22.&searchmode=basic }} }}
'''Wang Yi-chuan''' ({{lang-zh|t=王義川|p=Wáng Yìchuān}}; born 7 March 1972), also known by his English name '''Ivan Wang''', is a Taiwanese civil engineer, transportation engineer, and politician who has served as a member of the Legislative Yuan since December 2024.
== Education == Wang graduated from National Taiwan University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in civil engineering and a Master of Science (M.S.) in transportation engineering. He then earned his Ph.D. from the university in civil engineering and transportation engineering in 2002. His doctoral dissertation was titled, "Diversion design of motorcycle traffic space" (Chinese: 機車交通空間之分流設計).<ref>{{Cite web |title=機車交通空間之分流設計__臺灣博碩士論文知識加值系統 |url=https://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/cgi-bin/gs32/gsweb.cgi?o=dnclcdr&s=id=%22091NTU00015010%22.&searchmode=basic |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=ndltd.ncl.edu.tw |type=PhD Thesis}}</ref>
==Academic career== Prior to working in public service, Wang taught at Toko University, where he served as chair of the Department of Transportation and Logistics.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chang |first1=Ya-ching |title=Taichung's BRT fails to impress: poll |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/08/11/2003597160 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=11 August 2014}}</ref>
==Political career== During the mayoralty of Lin Chia-lung, Wang served as director general of Taichung City Government's Transportation Bureau.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kao |first1=Evelyn |title=Airport competition: Taichung aiming for upgrade of its airport to |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/201607310004 |access-date=23 November 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=31 July 2024}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=FEATURE: Taichung mayor calls for airport upgrade |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/08/07/2003652630 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=7 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Misplaced parking spaces cause bus-stop hassle |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2016/04/21/2003644410 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=21 April 2016}}</ref> As transportation director, Wang was involved in planning for the Taichung MRT.<ref>{{cite news |title=Taichung's first MRT line to begin operation by 2020 |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/201809030014 |access-date=23 November 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=3 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Taichung metro step closer to train-testing by yearend |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/201603160026 |access-date=23 November 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=16 March 2018}} Republished as: {{cite news |last1=Shan |first1=Shelley |title=Taichung to test MRT line by year-end |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2018/09/04/2003699756 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=4 September 2018}}</ref> In this role, he explored installing ground level traffic signs for pedestrians using smartphones,<ref>{{cite news |title='Smartphone zombies' may get ground-level traffic signs in Taichung |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/201705230024 |access-date=23 November 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=23 May 2017}}</ref> sought to implement a rewards system for dashcam footage of traffic incidents,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Chien-how |last2=Huang |first2=Liang-chieh |last3=Chung |first3=Jake |title=Taipei mulls rewards for dash cam video footage |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/11/06/2003681774 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=6 November 2023}}</ref> and upgraded Taichung City Bus stations to save on electricity costs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Chung-shan |last2=Chung |first2=Jake |title=New Taichung bus stops to cut emissions |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2018/02/04/2003687033 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=4 February 2018}}</ref> He opposed the expansion of oBike services to Taichung.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chang |first1=Ching-ya |last2=Chung |first2=Jake |title=Official tells oBike system to keep out of Taichung |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/07/15/2003674604 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=15 July 2017}}</ref>
Wang contested the 2019 by-election for a vacant Legislative Yuan seat in Taichung's fifth district on behalf of the Democratic Progressive Party,<ref>{{cite news |title=Taichung flora expo to be closed on election day: official |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/culture/201811150019 |access-date=23 November 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=15 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=9 candidates registered for Taipei, Taichung legislative by-elections |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/201812140029 |access-date=23 November 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=14 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Two legislative by-elections to take place Sunday |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/201901260011 |access-date=23 November 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=26 January 2019}}</ref> and lost to {{ill|Shen Chih-hwei|zh|沈智慧 (臺灣)}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=KMT's Shen wins Taichung legislative by-election amid low turnout |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/201901270013 |access-date=23 November 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=27 January 2019}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=DPP, KMT candidates win in by-elections |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/01/28/2003708796 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=28 January 2019}}</ref> Wang subsequently worked for the DPP-affiliated Taiwan Thinktank and as a political commentator.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Chen-sheng |last2=Wang |first2=Yi-chuan |title=Electric buses could promise big returns |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2022/04/12/2003776445 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=22 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Chin-kuo |title=Traffic policy ignores drivers' rights |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2024/01/07/2003811717 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=7 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=EDITORIAL: Chinese apps and disenchantment |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2024/01/19/2003812296 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=19 January 2024}}</ref>
Wang was ranked fourteenth on the DPP party list in the 2024 legislative elections,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yi |first1=He-hsuan |title=Split tickets not always best |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2023/12/03/2003810043 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=3 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Yun |last2=Pan |first2=Jason |title=DPP unveils legislator-at-large list, with Kuma Academy's Puma Shen |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/11/16/2003809253 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=16 November 2023}}</ref> and not elected to the Legislative Yuan. After the election, he was named director of the DPP's Policy Research and Coordinating Committee.<ref>{{cite news |title=DPP, KMT strategizing to attract young voters |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/02/15/2003813586 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=15 February 2024}}</ref> While in this position, Wang stated on a political talk show that the Democratic Progressive Party could use mobile phone data to determine the ages of protesters participating in the 2024 Taiwanese constitutional controversy demonstrations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wu |first1=Ching-chin |title=Clarifying surveillance concerns |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2024/06/07/2003818981 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=7 June 2024}}</ref> These comments drew attention in the Legislative Yuan and National Communications Commission,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shan |first1=Shelley |title=NCC suspends ruling on cases due to lack of experts |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/08/08/2003821943 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=8 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Jake |title=Police do not track protesters, lawmakers told |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/05/30/2003818611 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=30 May 2024}}</ref> as well as criticism of Wang by the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yeh |first1=Yu-cheng |title=Personal data accusations are false |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2024/06/05/2003818874 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=5 June 2024}}</ref> Wang himself criticised Kuomintang politician Andrew Hsia for visiting China, and the Taipei City Government for a subcontract signed with Taifo during the mayoral administration of TPP founding chairman Ko Wen-je.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shih |first1=Hsiao-kuang |last2=Chung |first2=Jake |title=DPP slams KMT vice chair Andrew Hsia's China visit |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/03/14/2003814907 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=14 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=I-chia |title=Taipei to terminate part of Taifo contract: mayor |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/03/26/2003815493 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=26 March 2024}}</ref>
In May 2024, the Taiwan Affairs Office, an agency of the People's Republic of China, sanctioned Wang and four other Taiwanese as "diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists" for disseminating "false and negative information about the mainland" that "deceived some Taiwanese, sowed division ... and harmed brotherly goodwill across the Strait".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cai |first1=Vanessa |title=Mainland China targets Taiwanese influencers for punishment over 'fake and negative' comments |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3262801/mainland-china-targets-taiwanese-influencers-punishment-over-fake-and-negative-comments |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=South China Morning Post |date=15 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Government agencies back 5 Taiwanese threatened by China |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202405160011 |access-date=23 November 2024 |agency=Central News Agency |date=16 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Yu-fu |last2=Chin |first2=Jonathan |title=China's TAO sanctions Taiwanese |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/05/16/2003817929 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=16 May 2024}}</ref> Wang responded to the declaration sarcastically, urging the Taiwan Affairs Office to undergo "deep self-reflection."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Nai-Chuan |title=China vows to punish critical Taiwanese commentators, families for 'slander' |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/china-vows-to-punish-critical-taiwanese-commentators-families-for-slander-/7617630.html |access-date=6 December 2024 |agency=Voice of America |date=18 May 2024}}</ref>
In November, Wang was appointed to the Legislative Yuan, replacing Hung Sun-han, who was elevated to labor minister upon the resignation of Ho Pei-shan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=蔡 |first1=晉宇 |title=人物／高鐵沒靠背到「王膝知」王義川諧星路線前進國會 |url=https://udn.com/news/story/6656/8379515 |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=United Daily News |date=23 November 2024 |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=何 |first1=哲欣 |title=吳崢恭喜王義川 遭轟冷血：有人死了還慶祝 |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%90%B3%E5%B4%A2%E6%81%AD%E5%96%9C%E7%8E%8B%E7%BE%A9%E5%B7%9D-%E9%81%AD%E8%BD%9F%E5%86%B7%E8%A1%80-%E6%9C%89%E4%BA%BA%E6%AD%BB%E4%BA%86%E9%82%84%E6%85%B6%E7%A5%9D-041524382.html |access-date=23 November 2024 |work=Nownews |publisher=Yahoo! Taiwan |date=23 November 2024 |language=zh}}</ref> He formally took office on 2 December 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hsu |first1=Medwin |title=Legislators clash over attempt to replace member on investigation committee |url=https://taiwannews.com.tw/news/5984051 |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=Taiwan News |date=3 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pan |first1=Jason |title=DPP lambasts KMT over martial law insinuations |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2024/12/05/2003827998 |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=Taipei Times |date=5 December 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wang, Yi-chuan}} Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Democratic Progressive Party Members of the Legislative Yuan Category:Members of the 11th Legislative Yuan Category:Politicians of the Republic of China on Taiwan from Tainan Category:Taiwanese individuals subject to Chinese government sanctions