You Mijian

You Mijian
File:19690819游彌堅.jpg
Personal details
Born	(1897-10-21)21 October 1897 Taiwan, Japan
Died	12 December 1971(1971-12-12) (aged 74) Taipei, ROC
Nationality	Republic of China

You Mijian (October 21, 1897 - December 12, 1971), originally known as You Bai, was a Taiwanese politician and member of the Chinese Kuomintang. Born in Wanchai Village in present-day Neihu District, Taipei City (then Taipei Prefecture under Japanese rule), he served as mayor of Taipei.

Early life

You Mijian was born You Bai on October 21, 1897. He came from a family with a long lineage in Taiwan, who traced their roots to Zhao'an County, Fujian Province. Growing up in Wanchai Village, Taipei, he was the sixth-generation descendant in Taiwan. His family was primarily engaged in agriculture. His father, You Shi Neng, ran a grocery store, while his mother, Lin Chou, was from a scholarly family in Nangang. At 13, You Mijian attended Songshan Public School. He pursued further studies at Taiwan Governor's Mandarin School and later trained as a disciplinarian, teaching at various schools before being promoted to Chengde College. At 27, he went to Japan to study political economics at Nihon University and later studied at Sciences Po in Paris, gaining exposure to political and economic theory.

Career

Early career and diplomatic service (1927–1945)

In 1927, You moved to Peking, working initially in a printing factory and later as a teacher in Nanjing. Introduced to the Kuomintang by the military scientist Jiang Baili, You became a political instructor at the Central Military Academy. In 1932, he served as Wellington Koo’s secretary, gaining experience at the French Embassy and studying at the University of Paris. Following a successful diplomatic stint, he returned to China, where he worked in finance and education in Hunan Province, implementing tax reforms that greatly increased revenue.

Return to Taiwan and political roles (1945–1950)

After Taiwan’s recovery in 1945, You was appointed as the financial commissioner and became the Mayor of Taipei He utilized his position to acquire and repurpose Japanese assets. He promoted cultural initiatives such as the founding of Taiwan Oriental Publishing House and the Taiwan Cultural Association.

Later career (1950–1971)

Following his resignation as mayor in 1950, You Mijian continued to influence Taiwan's economy and culture. He served as a professor at National Taiwan University, chairman of the Taiwan Paper Industry, and held roles in organizations such as Mandarin Daily News and Taiwan Tourism Association, earning him the title "Father of Taiwan’s Tourism Industry."

Family

His second wife, Wang Shumin, raised his eldest son Bingmao (born to his first wife), and bore sons Jingxi, Zongxi, and Fuxi.

Death

You Mijian passed away on December 12, 1971, in Taipei.

Further reading

• Edited by Zhang Yanxian, Chuang Yung-ming, and Li Xiaofeng, "Chronicles of Modern Taiwanese Celebrities (1)", published by Zili Evening News Cultural Publishing Department in 1987, ISBN 9575960866

predecessor	Mayor of Taipei	Succession
Huang Chaoqin	March 1, 1946 - February 21, 1950	Wu Sanlian