Lian Yu

Lian Yu (; 1886 - 13 August 1972), art name Liqing was a diplomat, politician, judicial officer and lawyer in the Republic of China. He was an important politician during the Reformed Government of the Republic of China and Wang Jingwei regime (Republic of China-Nanjing).

Early life He was born in Wuxi, Jiangsu. Lian went to Japan where he acquired Bachelor of Laws at Kyoto Imperial University. Later he returned to China and got a position in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Beijing Government.

Career

Tibet In 1905, Lian Yu was posted as the assistant amban to Tibet, to work with amban You Tai. The following year, You Tai was arrested on charges of corruption, and Lian became the chief amban. He remained in the post until the Xinhai revolution when all Chinese officials were expelled from Tibet.

Republic of China In January 1913 he was appointed Chief of the Zhejiang High Court, but he resigned in November. The following March he was appointed Chief of the Zhili High Court which post he held until September 1920. He was transferred to acting Chief of the Henan High court soon, but resigned next month. Later he was an established lawyer in Tianjin.

In March 1940 the Reorganized National Government of China was established, Lian Yu was appointed a legislator (Member of the Legislative Yuan).

After the Wang Jingwei regime collapsed, the Nationalist government decided to not prosecute him as a traitor as he wasn't viewed as having committed any crime against the country, even though he was ambassador to Japan under the collaborationist administration. He later left for Taiwan along with the Nationalist government. In Taiwan, he lived in difficult circumstances and sometimes helped the monks in in Tamsui. He died in Taipei on 13 August 1972 at the age of 86.