Guwahati: The army-owned institute where he worked said that the deputy head of the Taiwanese defence ministry’s research and development branch was found dead in a hotel room on Saturday.
According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, Ouyang Li-hsing, vice president of the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, had travelled to the island’s south for professional reasons.
The institute said Ouyang was discovered unconscious on Saturday morning at a hotel in Hengchun, Pingtung County, in a statement published on its website.
The report said that myocardial infarction and angina pectoris were the causes of death.
Earlier this year, Ouyang was appointed to his position and given the responsibility of overseeing “the production of various types of missiles,” according to CNA.
His passing occurs as Beijing moves on with drills simulating a blockade and eventual invasion of the democratic island after Nancy Pelosi’s visit infuriated the Chinese leadership.
Chinese state media reported on Friday that Beijing conducted the drills while flying several missiles directly over Taiwan’s largest island.
However, Taipei has declined to confirm or deny the flight paths, claiming security reasons.
In response to China’s growing military threat, the island’s administration is working to increase its own missile production.
The island is considered to be a part of China’s territory, and the country’s Communist Party has sworn to one day annex it, using force if necessary.