Yang Nien-dzu (; born 15 May 1955), also known by his English name Andrew Nien-dzu Yang, is a Taiwanese international relations professor who served as the 29th Minister of National Defense of the Republic of China in 2013. Before this, he was the Deputy Minister of National Defense from 2009 to 2013.Taiwan Matters (18 September 2009). "Andrew Yang Appointed as Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Defense", The Taiwan Walk
Early life and education Yang was born in Taipei and his ancestral home is in Danyang, Jiangsu. He graduated from Fu Jen Catholic University in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and then went to England to complete graduate studies. While in the United Kingdom, he earned a master's degree in industrial sociology from the University of Reading in 1980, a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in economics from the London School of Economics in 1981, and completed graduate research at the University of Oxford as a research fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford, from 1982 to 1984.
Yang's studies specialized in the study of United States-Taiwan-China relations and national security. He had devoted much of his time in the research of building a cross-Taiwan Strait military mutual trust, the People's Liberation Army and regional security while teaching at universities and other academic institutions in Taiwan.Feng, Joyce (29 July 2013). "Cabinet Reshuffle Aimed at Enhancing Public Well-Being: Premier", Focus Taiwan
Early career Yang had been a research associate at the Sun Yat-sen Center for Policy Studies of the National Sun Yat-sen University in Kaohsiung in 1986–2000. Yang had been the adviser for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1998, Mainland Affairs Council and Ministry of National Defense since 2000. He was a lecturer at the National Sun Yat-sen University in 2000–2009.
Prior to his appointment as ROC Deputy Minister of National Defense in 2009, Yang was the Secretary-General of the China Council of Advanced Policy Studies, a Taipei-based think tank concentrating on military affairs. He also has traveled frequently to the United States where he maintains a close relationship with top officials from The Pentagon.AP (30 July 2013). "Deputy Defense Minister, a Civilian, to Step Up to Helm", The China Post
ROC Minister of National Defense
Ministerial post appointment On 29 July 2013, Premier Jiang Yi-huah announced a cabinet reshuffle for the first time since he took the Premiership on 18 February 2013. Yang was appointed to be the Minister of National Defense replacing Kao Hua-chu who had earlier tendered his resignation several times due to the death scandal of Corporal Hung Chung-chiu on 4 July 2013.The Associated Press (29 July 2013). "Taiwan Names Civilian to Head Defense Ministry", Ventura County Star Right after his appointment, Yang promised that he would review military administration, professional certification and supervisory systems to improve human rights.Chen, Pei-huang and Y. L. Kao (29 July 2013). "New Defense Minister to Strive for Military, Human Rights Reform", Focus Taiwan Yang was the first civilian to head the post since Ma Ying-jeou took the Presidential office on 20 May 2008.
Resignation On 6 August 2013, Yang resigned from his position due to plagiarism allegations. Yang told the press that some portions of Ready for the D-day (), the book he had written back in 2007 were written by his friends without proper citations. He decided to resign from his post to maintain the reputation of the Executive Yuan. Deputy Minister of National Defense, Kao Kuang-chi temporarily headed the ministry on 7 August until the official ministerial appointment of Yen Ming by the Executive Yuan on 8 August 2013.Shih, Hsiu-chuan (8 August 2013). "Ma Appoints General Yen Ming as Defense Minister", Taipei Times.
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