Taiwanese writer Peng Ko dies aged 100

Taipei, July 2 (CNA) Taiwanese writer and former president of the Taipei Chinese Center, Peng Ko (彭歌), passed away on June 30 at the age of 100, the center said on Tuesday.

Born in Tianjin in 1926, Peng, whose real name is Yao Peng (姚朋), moved to Taiwan in 1949. He served as president of the Taipei Chinese Center, a branch of the PEN International, during the 1970s.

Over his prolific career, he held the positions of vice president and editor-in-chief of Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily, chief editor and president of the Central Daily News, and head of The Hong Kong Times.

He also taught at several Taiwanese universities, including National Taiwan University, National Chengchi University, and National Taiwan Normal University.

A respected voice on Taiwan's literary scene, Peng wrote an influential article arguing that "human nature is the true essence of literature," encouraging writers to respond to the world with empathy and insight. The article sparked wide debate during Taiwan's 1970s "nativist literature" movement.

Besides working in journalism and writing essays, Peng wrote novels inspired by his life in China, as well as short stories set in Taiwan and the offshore Kinmen and Matsu islands.

His "San San Tsao" (三三草) column in United Daily News introduced global literature to local readers.

He received numerous honors, publishing over 70 works, including essays, fiction, and translations.

He held master's degrees in journalism from National Chengchi University and Southern Illinois University, and in library and information science from the University of Illinois.