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Huang Decheng

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Huang Decheng
Huang Decheng
Huang Decheng on his 108th birthday (claimed East Asian 110th birthday) in 2021
Birth: 14 November 1913
Empire of Japan (now Taiwan)
Death: 20 November 2023
Sanhe Village, Shuishang Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan
Age: 110 years, 6 days
Country: TaiwanTWN
Unvalidated

Huang Decheng [Traditional Chinese: 黃德成] (14 November 1913 – 20 November 2023) was a Taiwanese supercentenarian who was the oldest known living man in Taiwan and one of the oldest living World War II veterans in the world at the time of his death. His age is currently unvalidated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).

Biography[]

Early Life and Family[]

Huang Decheng was born in Empire of Japan (now Taiwan) on 14 November 1913 (the 2nd year of the Republic of China), according to his ID card. However, he claims to have been born in 1912 (the 1st year of the Republic of China), saying his family waited to register him because of higher infant mortality.

Huang had at least two children: a son, Huang Kunshan [Traditional Chinese: 黃昆山], and a daughter, Huang Yinjiao [Traditional Chinese: 黃銀嬌].

World War II[]

During World War II, Huang was forced to become a soldier by the Japanese government. He served in Nanyang, Philippines from 1943 to 1945. He had to look after a warehouse. Because of the lack of food, not everyone can eat his fill, but the guard of the warehouse prevented him from starving to death.

One day, one of his colleagues stole candies, and was found by the Japanese soldiers. However, Huang managed to hide his colleague, saving his life.

Later Life[]

In June 2010, at the age of 96 (claims 97), he was reported to be the oldest neighbourhood chief in Taiwan; he practises this function since around 1976. At the age of 100, he was able to walk a kilometer to buy vegetables, and was still climbing the trees to trim them.

In October 2015, at the age of 101 (claims 102), Huang was still able to take care of his garden. He was going every morning to the temple to talk with his friends. He was waking up at 5 a.m. and going to bed at 9 p.m.

In October 2016, at the age of 102 (claims 103), Huang was visited by Zhang Huaguan [Traditional Chinese: 長張花], the magistrate of Chiayi County. He said the secret of his longevity is to not being demanding when eating, to eat both meat and vegetables, but to eat at 70%; it's also to walk and to exercise every day.

In October 2019, Huang was visited by Liu Jingxiang [Traditional Chinese: 劉敬祥], the mayor of Shuishang Township. At the time, he was reported to be in good health, although a bit deaf. His sister-in-law, Huang Lao [Traditional Chinese: 黃羅], was still alive at the age of 97.

In October 2020, Huang was reported to be the second-oldest living person in Chiayi County. He was visited by the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen. At the beginning of 2021, he fainted for unknown reasons, and his doctor diagnosed him a brain injury. However, he refused to underwent surgery.

In November 2021, Huang celebrated his 108th birthday (claimed 109th birthday; claimed East Asian 110th birthday) with his family. On 1 January 2022 (the 111th year of the Republic of China), he assisted to the inauguration of the new Shuishang Township office. At the time, he was reported to be the oldest living person in Shuishang Township, and in whole Chiayi County.

In November 2023, Huang celebrated his 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian.

Huang Decheng died in Sanhe Village, Shuishang Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan on 20 November 2023 at the age of 110 years, 6 days. Following his death, then-108-year-old Yu Te-Hsin became the oldest known living man in Taiwan.

Gallery[]

References[]

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