Chang Show-foong (
Chinese: 張曉風;
pinyin: Zhāng Xiǎofēng;
Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tiuⁿ Hiáu-hong; born 29 March 1941) is a Taiwanese environmentalist, writer, and politician. She was elected to the
Legislative Yuan in 2012 and served until her resignation in March 2013.
Education and literary career
Chang is a native of
Jinhua, and moved to Taiwan in 1949. She studied Chinese literature at
Soochow University, graduating in 1962.[1] She has taught at her alma mater, and also at Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary and
National Yang-Ming University.[2][3] Most of her works incorporate historical events as
allegories to modern times.[4]
Activism
Chang made her opposition to the construction of a biotechnology park in
Nangang District, Taipei known in 2010,[5] having described the area as "Taipei's last piece of green land."[6][7] Her advocacy featured direct visits to the site,[8] where she favored the retention of the area's natural wetlands as "Taipei's
Central Park."[9] Chang also supported the maintenance of Pingtung County's Alangyi Trail.[10] She has compared substandard care of public greenery to
foot binding.[11]
Political career
She was named to the
Legislative Yuan via the proportional representation party list system as a representative of the
People First Party.[12] As a legislator, Chang continued supporting a wide range of green causes.[13][14][15][16] In March 2012, she proposed that the government provide aid to single women, advising Taiwanese men against
transnational marriage, calling the practice a "strange habit."[17][18] Chang's comments drew criticism from multiple civic groups.[19] She resigned from the legislature on 15 March 2013.[20]