{{Short description|Taiwanese politician}} {{family name hatnote|Liu (劉)|lang=Chinese}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Liu Sung-pan | native_name = {{nobold|劉松藩}} | native_name_lang = zh-tw | honorific_suffix = MLY | image = 劉松藩委員.jpg | caption = | order2 = Member of the Legislative Yuan | term_start2 = 1 February 2002 | term_end2 = 8 September 2004 | predecessor2 = | successor2 = Alfred Chen | constituency2 = Republic of China (People First Party list) | order3 = | term_start3 = 1 February 1999 | term_end3 = 31 January 2002 | predecessor3 = | successor3 = | constituency3 = Taichung County | order4 = | term_start4 = 1 February 1996 | term_end4 = 31 January 1999 | predecessor4 = | successor4 = | constituency4 = Republic of China (Kuomintang party list) | order5 = | term_start5 = 1 February 1993 | term_end5 = 31 January 1996 | predecessor5 = | successor5 = | constituency5 = Taichung County | order6 = | term_start6 = 1 February 1990 | term_end6 = 31 January 1993 | predecessor6 = | successor6 = | constituency6 = Taiwan 6th {{small|(Taichung County)}} | order7 = | term_start7 = 1 February 1973 | term_end7 = 31 January 1990 | predecessor7 = | successor7 = | constituency7 = Taiwan 3rd {{small|(Taichung City, Taichung County, Changhua County, Nantou County)}} | order8 = Vice President of the Legislative Yuan | term_start8 = 2 December 1990 | term_end8 = 31 December 1991 | predecessor8 = Liang Su-yung | successor8 = Shen Shih-hsiung | constituency8 = | order9 = President of the Legislative Yuan | term_start9 = 17 January 1992 | term_end9 = 1 February 1999 | predecessor9 = Liang Su-yung | successor9 = Wang Jin-pyng | constituency9 = | birth_date = {{birth date|1931|12|3|df=y}} | birth_place = Taikō, Taikō, Taichū Prefecture, Taiwan, Empire of Japan | death_date = {{death date and age|2016|11|18|1931|12|3|df=y}} | death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | party = Independent {{small|(since 2004)}} | other_party = Kuomintang {{small|(until 1999)}}<br/>People First Party {{small|(2000–04)}} | alma_mater = | profession = | education = Kindai University (BEc) }} '''Liu Sung-pan''' ({{lang-zh|t=劉松藩|p=Liú Sōngfán|w=Liú Sūng-fán}}; 3 December 1931 — 18 November 2016) was a Taiwanese politician. He served as the President of the Legislative Yuan from 1992 to 1999. He was the Legislative Yuan's first Taiwan-born speaker and presided over a legislature entirely elected by residents of the Taiwan Area (after the retirement of the elderly mainland representatives in December 1991).
== Early life and education == Liu was born in Taichū Prefecture on December 3, 1941. He graduated from Kindai University with a Bachelor of Economics (B.Ec.) in business economics.
==Career== Liu founded a committee seeking Taiwan–United States relations in 1987. The group counted members of the US Congress and Legislative Yuan among its number.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lawmakers Make Friends|url=http://www.taiwantoday.tw/fp.asp?xItem=2843&CtNode=451|accessdate=22 November 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=14 December 1987|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122155136/http://www.taiwantoday.tw/fp.asp?xItem=2843&CtNode=451|archive-date=22 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=U.S., ROC Lawmakers In Friendship Club|url=http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=3480&ctNode=451|accessdate=22 November 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=9 May 1988|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122154225/http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=3480&ctNode=451|archive-date=22 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was elected to the speakership of the Legislative Yuan in January 1992. Upon his confirmation, Liu became the first native Taiwanese to lead the legislature.<ref>{{cite news|title=Liu Sung-pan wins speaker's post|url=http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=88080&ctNode=103|accessdate=22 November 2016|work=Taiwan Today|date=21 January 1992|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122154901/http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=88080&ctNode=103|archivedate=22 November 2016}} [http://taiwaninfo.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=88080&ctNode=103 Alt URL]</ref> He was also the first to head a parliament entirely elected by residents of the Taiwan Area, as the elderly mainland representatives retired en masse at the end of 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hats In Ring For Yuan Posts|url=http://taiwaninfo.nat.gov.tw/fp.asp?xItem=7954&CtNode=103|accessdate=16 February 2016|publisher=Taiwan Info|date=12 February 1990|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223024359/http://taiwaninfo.nat.gov.tw/fp.asp?xItem=7954&CtNode=103|archivedate=23 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 1998, during his tenure as legislative speaker, Liu used his status as the former chairman of Taichung Commercial Bank to broker a NT$1.5 billion loan to the Kuangsan Group, and in return he received a bribe of NT$150 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-speaker indicted for fraud|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2001/05/17/0000086054|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=17 May 2001}}</ref> During the subsequent investigation, Liu's house was raided.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lin|first1=Irene|title=Calls for impartial justice are mounting over Liu raid|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/02/24/0000025378|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=24 February 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Court hears evidence in Kuangsan case|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/03/02/0000026262|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=2 March 2000}}</ref>
He left the Kuomintang in 1999, after having served two full elected terms as President of the Yuan. Liu then allied himself with James Soong's independent 2000 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news|title=KMT lining up Soong's backers for punishment|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/01/29/0000021905|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=29 January 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Jou|first1=Ying-cheng|title=Another member of the KMT leaves the party behind|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/02/25/0000025497|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=25 February 2000}}</ref> After Soong's loss, Liu was named the leader of the New Taiwanese Service Team, an exploratory committee that preceded the formation of the People First Party.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chen|first1=Lauren|title=Soong sets his sights on formation of new party|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/03/20/0000028486|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=20 March 2000}}</ref> After the end of Liu's speakership, he continued to lead Taiwan in negotiations with China and advocated for the nation to obtain membership in the World Health Organization.<ref>{{cite news|title=China official says Strait to remain calm for now|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/09/02/0000051633|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=2 September 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Legislators visit Beijing|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/twquick/archives/2002/06/23/0000141479|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=23 June 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chu|first1=Monique|title=Lawmakers take quest for WHO support to Europe|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/02/11/0000194131|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=11 February 2003}}</ref> Liu also backed the democratization of Myanmar and promoted United States–Taiwan relations.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lowe|first1=Stephanie|title=Lawmakers aid Myanmar|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2000/09/21/0000054286|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=21 September 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Amity' delegation departs for US to promote relations|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2002/04/06/0000130727|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=8 April 2002}}</ref>
==Trial and temporary disappearance== The Taichung District Court convicted Liu for his role in the Kuangsan Group scandal in July 2003, sentencing him to five years imprisonment and NT$30 million fine.<ref>{{cite news |title=PFP lawmaker jailed five years, fined NT$30 mil. |url=https://chinapost.nownews.com/20030711-153964 |work=China Post |date=11 July 2003}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Former speaker convicted|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/07/12/2003059143|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=12 July 2003}}</ref> His final appeal was heard by the Taiwan High Court in September 2004. The THC handed Liu a four-year prison sentence and a NT$30 million fine. After the High Court's verdict was announced, Liu resigned his legislative seat.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yu|first1=Cody|title=Corrupt PFP veteran sentenced to jail|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/09/08/2003202047|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=8 September 2004}}</ref> At the time, Liu was at the Republican National Convention in the United States. While there, he suffered a heart attack and was not medically cleared to fly to Taiwan.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Rich|title=Prosecutors in Taichung order arrest of ex-speaker|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/07/18/2003263981|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=18 July 2005}}</ref> Though Liu had relinquished his PFP membership a day after his resignation from the Legislative Yuan,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wu|first1=Debby|title=Liu Sung-fan withdraws PFP membership|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/09/09/2003202188|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=9 September 2004}}</ref> the party offered to help him find medical treatment if he would serve his sentence in Taiwan.<ref>{{cite news|title=PFP to help fugitive ex-speaker if he returns to Taiwan|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2005/09/30/2003273795|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=30 September 2005}}</ref> Liu never acknowledged the proposal, and was subsequently listed as a fugitive in February 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prosecutors belatedly put convicted politician on wanted list|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/taiwan/200731/103528.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930024325/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/taiwan/200731/103528.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2007|date=1 March 2007|accessdate=1 June 2007|work=The China Post}}</ref> In the early 2010s, Liu was reported to have fled to China.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Rich|title=Ministry struggling to get fugitive tycoon repatriated|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/11/03/2003546778|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=3 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Su|first1=Yung-yao|last2=Hsu|first2=Stacy|title=Most Taiwanese imprisoned in China not sent back|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/08/13/2003540176|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=13 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chang|first1=Rich|title=FEATURE: Cross-strait crime-fighting pact paying off: prosecutor|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/02/08/2003495363|accessdate=14 May 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=8 February 2011}}</ref> Later, he returned to the United States, and died in Los Angeles on 18 November 2016, aged 84.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hau|first1=Hsueh-ching|last2=Kuo|first2=Chung-han|title=Ex-Legislative Speaker Liu Sung-fan dies at 84|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201612070018.aspx|accessdate=8 December 2016|work=China Post|agency=Central News Agency|date=7 December 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208020305/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201612070018.aspx|archivedate=8 December 2016}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20161208130628/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2016/12/08/486162/Ex-Legislative-Speaker.htm Alt URL]</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Pan|first1=Jason|title=Fugitive former official dies in US|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/12/08/2003660797|accessdate=8 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=8 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Strong|first1=Matthew|title=Ex-legislative speaker dies in Los Angeles|url=http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3046393|accessdate=8 December 2016|work=Taiwan News|date=7 December 2016}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Liu, Sung-pan}} Category:1931 births Category:2016 deaths Category:Kuomintang Members of the Legislative Yuan in Taiwan Category:Members of the 1st Legislative Yuan in Taiwan Category:Members of the 2nd Legislative Yuan Category:Members of the 3rd Legislative Yuan Category:Members of the 4th Legislative Yuan Category:Members of the 5th Legislative Yuan Category:Party List Members of the Legislative Yuan Category:People First Party Members of the Legislative Yuan Category:Taichung Members of the Legislative Yuan Category:Taiwanese expatriates in China Category:Taiwanese expatriates in the United States Category:Taiwanese politicians convicted of corruption Category:Taiwanese presidents of the Legislative Yuan Category:Changhua County Members of the Legislative Yuan Category:Nantou County Members of the Legislative Yuan