Lien Chan Kuomintang (KMT) Party Lien Chan, 63, was born in Xian, Shanxi Province, mainland China. After studying political science in Taiwan and the United States, he worked as a professor and diplomat. Lien entered a career in the ruling Kuomintang nationalist (KMT) party in 1975, when he became an ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador. Lien reached the upper echelons in the Taiwanese government when he was appointed vice premier in 1987. Lien has steadily climbed the KMT political ladder, culminating in his current position as vice president of the KMT party. Current President Lee Teng-Hui chose Lien as his successor to the presidency. Lien has pledged, if elected, to uphold Lee's political platform, including the call for state-to-state relations with China. He even went a step further by supporting the opening of shipping and air links with China.