Huang Decheng | |
Huang Decheng on his 108th birthday in 2021. | |
Centenarian |
Huang Decheng [Traditional Chinese: 黃德成] (born 14 November 1913 (claims 1912)) is a Taiwanese centenarian who is one of the oldest World War II veterans.
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.
Huang Decheng currently lives in Sanhe Village, Shuishang Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan, at the age of 110 years, 156 days (claims 111 years, 156 days).
Gallery
References
- 99歲最老鄰長 "叫我幼齒仔" CTS News and Info, 22 June 2010
- 老人都是寶! 年輕人沒有的智慧... CTS News and Info, 12 July 2011
- 全國最老鄰長黃德成 百歲爬樹啃肉乾 United Daily News, 13 October 2015
- 《全國最老鄰長》103歲黃德成:人老不能吃太飽 Liberty Times Net, 4 October 2016
- 影/108歲全國最高齡鄰長 每天帶隊泡茶愛吃竹筍花生 United Daily News, 4 October 2019 (Archived)
- 小英總統探訪 107歲黃德成:阿共打過來,拿拐杖跟他拚 Liberty Times Net, 19 October 2020
- 訪107歲人瑞黃德成 蔡總統致贈金牌 FTV News, 19 October 2020
- 63名長輩晉百歲人瑞 嘉縣老化比例最高 最長壽108歲 United Daily News, 5 October 2021
- 他110歲生日愛吃甘蔗嚼花生米 全國最老鄰長生活規律 United Daily News, 13 November 2021
- 導入現代化元素塑新地標 水上公所擇此刻啟用別具意義 United Daily News, 1 January 2022