Taipei: Hwang Jau-yuan, a former justice on Taiwan’s Constitutional Court, has been appointed as Taiwan’s representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Presidential Office announced on Tuesday. This appointment was made through a presidential order, marking a significant transition in Taiwan’s representation in the only major international organization where it holds full membership.

According to Focus Taiwan, Hwang will take over the position from Lo Chang-fa, another former grand justice who has served as Taiwan’s representative to the WTO since 2020. Lo requested to retire, prompting the need for this new appointment. Hwang’s extensive legal background and previous tenure on the Constitutional Court from 2016 to 2024 make him a fitting choice for this important role.

Hwang, who is 62 years old, has had a distinguished career in law, both as a former justice and as a law professor at National Taiwan University. His areas of expertise include constitutional law, comparative law, international law, and international human rights law. His academic credentials are notable, with a master of laws degree from National Taiwan University and both an LL.M. and a doctorate in law from Harvard University in the United States.

This new appointment is expected to bring Hwang’s wealth of experience and legal knowledge to Taiwan’s engagements and negotiations within the WTO framework, further strengthening Taiwan’s position and contributions to global trade discussions.