2021/11/03
The Ministry of National Defense issues a press release stating that "the former Minister of National Defense, Mr. Tang Yao-ming, has passed away. His fellow officers of the Armed Forces mourn for this loss"
The former Minister of National Defense, Mr. Tang Yao-ming, has passed away, and his fellow officers of the Armed Forces mourn for this loss.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) expressed with deep regret today (3rd) that the former Minister of National Defense, Mr. Tang Yao-ming, passed away this morning at the Tri-Service General Hospital in Taipei. Aged 84, our country has suffered a most significant loss from his passing, and his fellow officers of the Armed Forces express their deepest sympathies and honor him with thanks for his service.
Mr. Tang Yao-ming loyally served his country in the military throughout his life. He received a military education at the Army Command and Staff College of the Tri-Service University, Tactical Research Class, and High-ranking Officer Class of the War College of the Tri-Service University. He served in a platoon, company, battalion, as a brigade commander, captain, general drill officer, division commander, army commander, commander of the 8th Army, commander-in-chief of the army, chief of staff and other important positions. Furthermore, he was awarded the Order of Blue Sky and White Sun, and became the Minister of Defense on February 1, 2002.
On February 1, 1999, Mr. Tang Yao-ming was promoted to the rank of general first class of the army and chief-of-staff of the Ministry of National Defense. During his tenure, our country was hit hard by the 921 Earthquake. Mr. Tang accompanied former President Lee Teng-hui to visit many disaster-stricken areas, and personally guided the Armed Forces in their disaster relief efforts, helping people to rebuild their homes and lives. In addition, Mr. Tang Yao-ming worked with restructuring the government’s organization as he successfully completed the National Army’s "Improvement Project" at the end of 2001. He also fully facilitated and supported the legislation and implementation of two laws for national defense, which have helped promote the completion of centralized system for military administration and order, thus establishing the significance of the times for the modern Armed Forces.
Mr. Tang Yao-ming devoted his life to a long career in the military, being loyal to his country and looking out for the well-being of the people. He achieved great accomplishments in reorganizing the army and building military power. He not only implemented two national defense laws, but also strived for the welfare of officers and soldiers, actively taking care of all servicemen as well as realizing the nationalization of the military. Serving as the driver of these grand tasks, he will be remembered as a positive role-model for soldiers of the Republic of China. His spirit will live on and be exemplified through the servicemen who follow him.