President Barack Obama Nationality American Occupation Diplomat | Preceded by Christopher J. Marut Spouse(s) Kathy Moy | |
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Alma mater Columbia University
University of Minnesota Education Columbia University, University of Minnesota |
Kin Moy (Chinese: 梅健華; pinyin: Méi Jiànhuá; Jyutping: Mui4 Gin6-waa4) is a United States diplomat and the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan. He is the first Chinese-American to hold the post.
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Early life
Moy was born in Hong Kong to parents from Taishan, Guangdong. He graduated from both Columbia University and the University of Minnesota.
Career
Moy started working for the US State Department in 1992. In 2011 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Moy is considered a key proponent of US President Barack Obama's "Asian Pivot" strategy. In 2015 he was appointed Director of the American Institute in Taiwan and so became the de facto American ambassador to Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic relations. In his inaugural press conference he stressed that the United States is Taiwan's closest ally.
Family
Moy is married to Kathy Chen, a journalist who previously worked for the Wall Street Journal. Taiwanese media note that she lived in Taiwan for a few years in the late 1980s, first as a student then subsequently as an editor for the China Post, so will be somewhat familiar with the country. They have four children and a Great Dane.