Ex-Taiwan premier Hau Pei-tsun dies aged 101

Former Taiwan premier Hau Pei-tsun pictured here in 2004. File photo: AFP

Former Taiwan premier Hau Pei-tsun has died at the age of 101.



Taiwanese media said Hau died of multiple organ failure on Monday afternoon in the Tri-Service General Hospital in Taipei.



Originally from Jiangsu province, the veteran soldier and politician held top positions in the Taiwanese government, serving as Chief of the General Staff in the Ministry of National Defence, the defence minister, and later as premier.



His son Hau Lung-pin, who is the vice-chairman of the Kuomintang, issued a statement saying his father had dedicated his whole life to serving the people.



The KMT official said to avoid public gatherings amid the coronavirus, his office would only hold a farewell ceremony for his father when the virus situation dies down.