Dr. David Tawei Lee

Content created by Virtual Intern  Shayna Canty

A long-serving diplomat, Dr. David Tawei Lee was appointed Secretary-General to the President of Taiwan on August 3, 2020. Lee also served Taiwan as Minister of Foreign Affairs between 2016 and 2018 and as Secretary-General of the National Security Council until May 2020. He has been known for his close ties with the United States.

He started his international affairs career at the age of 21 as a foreign affairs major from the National Taiwan University. During his collegiate career he was selected as one of 12 students to take part in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on the East-Asia Student Leaders Program in 1972. He said, "the experience was mind-opening... I learned so much during my time in the program." He indicated in a speech that “it was an impressive experience that led me to decide to dedicate my career to international affairs.”

After the IVLP, he went on to receive his M.A. and Ph.D. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia. Lee also served as Taiwan's senior representative to numerous countries including Australia, Canada, the European Union, and the United States.

Dr. David Tawei Lee is a scholar and career diplomat who has helped build bilateral connections around the world.