As the Deputy Minister of Finance, the operator of the National Stabilization Fund, and now also the Chairman of the Land Bank of Taiwan, Wu Dang-jie could be considered the busiest figure in the public financial sector. Yet, no matter the occasion, he always appears energetic and shows no signs of fatigue. This naturally makes one curious about his secret to staying in such great shape. However, after an in-depth conversation with Wu, it turns out that maintaining such excellent physical condition relies not on supplements or diet control, but solely on his passion for sports—his favorite way to relieve stress at work.
Wu Dang-jie has a gentle and scholarly appearance, making it hard to imagine he is actually a sports enthusiast. His list of athletic activities is quite extensive—he enjoys mountain climbing, marathon running, road cycling, has been spinning for six or seven years, and practicing Tai Chi for seven or eight years. He can almost be described as an all-around sports master.
Spinning & Tai Chi
What’s even more remarkable is that whether it’s aerobic exercises beneficial to cardiovascular health like running and spinning, or static, slow-motion activities like Tai Chi that help deeply stretch the muscles and bones, Wu Dang-jie absorbs the essence of all these varied forms of exercise both internally and externally, while also gaining different benefits for maintaining his physical fitness from each.
For Wu Dang-jie, sports are not just about fitness—they’re also a way to spend time with friends. He believes exercising with friends encourages and motivates each other to stay consistent. For example, in his long-standing spinning and Tai Chi routines, he has many friends who join him. He works out on the spinning bike at the gym with 12 former colleagues every week to train his lung capacity. Additionally, he tries to practice Tai Chi for half a day every Saturday, with group sizes reaching 30 or 40 people.
When it comes to Tai Chi, Wu Dang-jie leaves no detail overlooked. First, he starts with an hour of “Baduanjin” warm-up exercises to prepare his body. After that, his breathing and overall state are regulated. The second part involves the actual Tai Chi movements, integrating breath control as he gradually relaxes completely within the practice. In his view, because Tai Chi fully stretches and activates the muscles and joints, it is very helpful for relieving back and waist pain.
As for outdoor activities, marathon running and mountain climbing are two other long-time hobbies of Wu Dang-jie, allowing him to enjoy fresh air and nature. In the eyes of Finance Minister Chang Sheng-an, Wu Dang-jie is a reliable subordinate who always rises to challenges, and this spirit is reflected not only in his work but also in his active sporting life—he loves pushing his own limits.
Mountain climbing is the most obvious example. Over 20 years ago, when Wu was a deputy director at the Securities and Futures Commission, he developed a passion for hiking through a mountaineering club. For over two decades, he has never stopped, inviting friends to climb once or twice a month. And his preferred style isn’t just casual hiking—it’s tackling medium to high-difficulty, challenging peaks.
Wu Dang-jie recalls one particular day when he climbed four mountains—Xiangtian Mountain, Miantian Mountain, Datun Mountain, and Qixing Mountain—in a single day, covering all seven peaks from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: “Looking out from the foot of the mountain, thinking that I could complete all four mountains and seven peaks in one day from morning to afternoon gave me a huge sense of accomplishment!”
Climbing high mountains & running marathons
When climbing, Wu Dang-jie always likes to be at the front of the group. Speaking of this, he laughs and says he often misses out on seeing the beautiful scenery along the way: “I should occasionally stop to take in the view.” He recalls how he and a few friends fell in love with mountain climbing during their time at the Securities and Futures Commission, joining hiking trips organized by the mountaineering club, which sparked a lasting passion.
Marathon running is another outdoor activity Wu Dang-jie is passionate about. He participates in events like the annual Taipei Marathon and Standard Chartered races. Just last month, he completed the 10-kilometer Taipei Marathon, and this month he’s set to run another Standard Chartered event. In addition, the Ministry of Finance’s Uniform Invoice Road Race Cup, which includes four 3-kilometer and one 10-kilometer races per year, sees Wu Dang-jie participating in every single one.
To that end, Wu Dang-jie makes time on weekends to train by running around the nearby Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to maintain his fitness level and test his potential for the annual 10-kilometer races, including timing himself to check for any decline in stamina.
Recently, Wu Dang-jie has also gotten into road cycling. Speaking of this new hobby, he traces it back to spinning—thinking that after spinning for so long, it was time to try road cycling and revisit childhood memories of biking. Aside from organizing a two-day, one-night cycling trip to Kenting with over 20 friends last year, he also has plans to invite friends for a three-day, two-night road cycling adventure in Hualien and Taitung.
When talking about road cycling, Wu Dang-jie speaks in a very relaxed tone, saying the entire experience is enjoyable. When you reach a spot, you can admire the scenery. Climbing uphill is tough, but going downhill is incredibly refreshing—the varying sensations come together for a truly exhilarating feeling. Beyond sports, Wu Dang-jie has also found a form of “mental wellness”—accompanying his wife to events hosted by a film appreciation association. Since his wife is now a speaker at these events, he not only joins her but also takes on the role of photographer, blending active and intellectual enrichment. Amid his busy public duties, this also helps Wu Dang-jie build up more energy to keep moving forward.