HTC Founders Cher Wang and Wen-Chi Chen Manage Mobile Tech Giant with Biblical Principles

By Eric Chen

Cher Wang, Taiwan's Christian entrepreneur, chairman of HTC, and her husband, Wen-Chi Chen, was recently chosen by US Forbes Magazine as one of the World's Most Powerful Couples in 2013.

Cher Wang is known for her image as a tough and capable female entrepreneur, on the other hand her experience as a Christian and how she incorporates her religion into daily life and career has been a hot topic. Her husband, Wen-Chi Chen, President and CEO of VIA Technologies, Inc, Director of HTC, was originally hastened by Cher to attend church and learn about Christianity and eventually became a Christian.  

Recently, a well know magazine practitioner, Ru Fang, in his article, "Cher Wang, what kind of man can overpower the richest woman in Taiwan?" writes that appearance wise, Cher is not very tall, with a refined gentle look. She has a down to earth personality, doesn't like to lavish and a very devout Christian. While most successful business owners in Taiwan are driving brand name luxury vehicles, Cher lives a simple and humble lifestyle. She is often found taking the taxi, bus or subway. Her religion has heavy influence on the way her personality is formed. In fact, their belief in Christianity is the biggest connection for this rich couple.

According to the article, Cher and Wen-Chi built VIA Technology together which is in the business of PC chip designs. When Wen-Chi was facing difficulties in operating VIA Technology, he asked Cher for help and she gladly offered help under one condition: that he attended church every week for Sunday services. At that time, the two were not married yet. Though he was unwilling in his heart, in order to resolve the extremely critical and urgent problem at hand, Wen-Chi, agreed to go to church. However, after a while he didn't want to go to church anymore.

At that time, Wen-Chi had a bible at home which he read only when was bored. He felt the bible contradicted itself and wondered how people could believe in it. It wasn't until VIA Technology faced its biggest difficulties - returned products from customers, that Wen-Chi asked for Cher's help again. Cher reminded him, "You forgot what you had promised God you would do". After that, Wen-Chi was finally really willing to spend time to understand the Christian faith and become a Christian.

Cher & Wen-Chi are a Christian entrepreneur couple that instills their Christian faith into the way they operate their business. At VIA Technology's end of year annual party, Wen-Chi used a bible story as an example to compare the company's difficult situation to the time of wilderness right before entering the land of Cannan, and he has already seen the brighter future ahead.

At VIA Technology's employee gatherings or outside media related shareholder meetings, a pastor's blessing can always be found. The company also has regular prayer meetings, bible studies and fellowship activities.

[Editor's note: Jane Hsu contributed to the article.]

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