Wei Tao-Ming

Wei Tao-Ming trained in law in Paris and held senior administrative and diplomatic offices before serving as ambassador in Washington from 1942 to 1946. His wartime posting coincided with the January 1943 treaty relinquishing American extraterritorial rights in China. After the war, he became the first chairman of the newly constituted Taiwan Provincial Government following the February 1947 uprising and the replacement of Chen Yi. ^{1, 2}

Wei’s efforts at provincial reform faced limits in a political system dominated by military authority. He later returned to foreign affairs and became ambassador to Japan in 1964, after disputes over Japan’s dealings with the People’s Republic had strained relations. His appointment formed part of an effort to restore diplomatic contact after the ambassadorial post had been vacant. He returned to Taiwan in 1966 to become foreign minister. ¹