Former SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung dies aged 85

Taipei, Dec. 10 (CNA) Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤), a former chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) died Monday at the age of 85 due to multiple organ failure, according to a statement from the Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei.

He was rushed to the hospital after suddenly collapsing at a restaurant at the Regent Taipei hotel during dinner Saturday.

After undergoing emergency treatment for aortic dissection, Chiang was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit, where he died.

Chiang was chairman of the SEF from 2008 to 2012 before becoming head of the Straits Economic and Cultural Interchange Association.

He also held several high-level positions within the government, including Minister of Economic Affairs from 1993-1996 and vice president of the Legislative Yuan from 2002-2005.

Chiang also served as deputy director-general of the Board of Foreign Trade (BOFT) from 1982-1983, secretary-general of the China External Trade Development Council from 1983-1988 and director-general of the BOFT from 1988-1989.

He was born Dec. 16, 1932 and received his Ph.D from the University of Tokyo in 1971.