TAIPEI – Taiwan Defence Ministry’s research and development unit’s deputy chief was found dead in a hotel room this morning with authorities investigating the cause of his death, reported the island’s Central News Agency.
Identified as Ou Yang Li-hsing – deputy head of the military-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology – his body was found in a hotel this morning in southern Taiwan.
It was reported that the cause of death has yet to be determined.
This comes amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s contentious visit to the island where she was criticised for defending Taiwan.
Ou Yang was said to be in the southern county of Pingtung for business.
In his position, he was tasked with overseeing missile production projects.
Reuters reported that the institute he worked for has been aiming to more than double its yearly missile production capacity to 500 this year.
China views self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day take it, by force if necessary.
Beijing reacted with loud threats and military drills in the lead-up to and aftermath of Pelosi’s visit, which it sees as an unacceptable escalation of ties between Washington and Taiwan’s current pro-independence leaders.
China’s Foreign Ministry said today it was suspending cooperation with Washington on repatriating illegal migrants, judicial assistance and transnational crime, as well as anti-drug action.
Yesterday, it said it would impose unspecified sanctions on Pelosi and her family.
China also nixed several defence meetings and suspended key climate talks with the US, citing Pelosi’s “disregard of China’s strong opposition and stern representations” during her Taiwan visit. – The Vibes, August 6, 2022
