Ex-Taiwan top diplomat Timothy Yang passes away at 83

Taipei, May 25 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Monday issued its condolences over the passing of former Foreign Minister Timothy Yang (楊進添) on Sunday. He was 83.

Yang, who served as the country's top diplomat from September 2009 to September 2012, was one of the key promoters of Taiwan being granted preferential visa and/or visa-free treatments and of signing trade agreements with foreign countries, MOFA said in a press release.

"His hard work and outstanding diplomatic achievements will be truly missed by all his colleagues," the ministry said.

In his memoir published in January, Yang said he saw the opening of Taiwan's representative office in Ireland in 1988 and facilitating visa-free entry to the European Union for Taiwan passport holders in 2011 as the greatest achievements of his diplomatic career.

Before serving as foreign minister during President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) first term, Yang served as Taiwan's top envoy to Ireland, Australia and Indonesia, among other overseas posts, according to MOFA.

After leaving his post at MOFA, Yang served as secretary-general of the Presidential Office from 2012 to 2015 during Ma's second term before stepping down from public service.

Yang was born in Ershui Township in Changhua County on July 1, 1942. He earned a bachelor's degree in diplomacy from National Chengchi University and entered the diplomatic service in 1969.