Two Countries: My Taiwanese American Immigrant Story - Softcover

Wu, Li-pei

Softcover

ISBN 13: 9798986050287

Publisher: GGW Impact Publishing, 2022

Synopsis

Born under the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, coming of age under the Kuomingtang (KMT) suppression, Li-Pei Wu fled the KMT’s atrocities against the Taiwanese and his fellow democracy believers and found a new life in America. But his belief in an independent Taiwan never waned. This is the incredible life story of a skinny boy from Taiwan’s countryside who became an American business leader and democracy advocate for Taiwan.

Through hard work and perseverance, Wu became nationally recognized as a leader in the banking industry starting in Alaska and then Southern California. His business acumen led him to become a bank turnaround expert and CEO. Wu received many accolades from his financial peers and was the subject of numerous cover stories in industry journals. In addition, he formed multiple non-profit, non-partisan public interest groups that sought to promote Taiwanese identity and foster an environment of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He worked tirelessly to promote understanding and friendship between Taiwan and the United States.

In 2004, Wu gave up his US citizenship to join the Taiwan government as a senior advisor for two of Taiwan’s presidents. Today, he resides in Taiwan and remains a respected voice advocating for Taiwan independence. This is an enhanced translation based on his well-received memoir published in Taiwan.

About this title

About the Author

Li-pei Wu was born in 1934 in a tucked away farming community in central Taiwan. Born during Japan's 50-year occupation of Taiwan, his family faced extreme economic hardships under Japanese rule. At the end of World War II, Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomingtang (KMT) took control of the island nation. Wu, a diligent student, gained entrance to National Taiwan University (NTU) where he cultivated his passion for Taiwan democracy and self-determination. These ideas were forbidden under KMT rule and the authorities eventually opened a file on Wu's activities. Wu knew he was at risk for prison or worse, so he made the difficult decision to leave the only country he had ever known. At thirty-three years old, he left Taiwan for the US to create a better life for his wife and young family.

Through hard work and perseverance in America, Wu obtained his graduate degree in business and joined a commercial bank in Alaska as an entry-level clerk, eventually rising to the upper echelons of senior management. As CEO, he led General Bank in Los Angeles to become one of the most profitable banks in the US. Wu gained national recognition and received major cover stories in business journals. Yet throughout his time spent as a Taiwanese American, he never lost sight of the plight of the Taiwanese people in his birth country.
 
In 2004, after almost forty years in his adopted country of America, Wu left to join the Taiwan government as a senior advisor to President Chen Shui-bian and the current President Tsai Ing-wen. He returned to Taiwan in hopes that the Taiwanese people would have the freedoms and liberties he had enjoyed as an American. He still resides in Taiwan today as a well-respected independence advocate.

Edition details

• Publisher: GGW Impact Publishing
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798986050287
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 357