high-technology industries that would later become the basis of the Taiwanese economy. He initiated the development of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (that would later give rise to numerous major semiconductor companies such as TSMC) and the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park which would serve as a major electronics and semiconductor manufacturing hub. Sun is also credited for transforming Taiwan's existing export industries, which were developed in the 1960s and centered on textiles, shoes, plastic toys, and agriculture, to the more sustainable fields of petrochemicals, machine tools, and electronics. Later life Sun was once regarded as heir apparent to Chiang Ching-kuo, but he suffered a stroke during a legislative interpellation session in 1984, ending his political career. Instead, Lee Teng-hui became Chiang's heir apparent and ultimate successor. Sun resigned as premier on 20 May 1984 and was appointed to the largely honorary position of senior advisor to the President of the Republic of China. After his stroke, Sun became a major advocate of health issues such as the importance of monitoring high blood pressure for elderly people. He also campaigned against smoking. Another stroke left him needing to use a wheelchair for mobility. Nevertheless, Sun remained politically active in his later years and campaigned on behalf of KMT presidential candidate Lien Chan in the 2004 presidential election. He died at the age of 92 while hospitalized at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei as a result of myocardial infarction and sepsis. Sun was accorded the honour of a State funeral due to his tremendous contributions and hard work and determination for Taiwan, which was held on February 25. Then-DPP President Chen Shui-bian also attended his funeral. Sun’s ashes were interred at the Keelung Hsin Hsin Cemetery. References Taipei Times: Leaders bid farewell to Sun Taiwan News: Taiwan bids farewell to economy's mastermind The Irish Times: Architect of Taiwan's industrial revolution China Post: Nation bids farewell to ex-Premier Sun External links Sun Yun-suan Foundation 孫運璿學術基金會 1913 births 2006 deaths Deaths from sepsis Infectious disease deaths in Taiwan Harbin Institute of Technology alumni Politicians from Yantai Premiers of the Republic of China on Taiwan Senior Advisors to President Chiang Ching-kuo Senior Advisors to President Lee Teng-hui Republic of China politicians from Shandong Taiwanese Ministers of Economic Affairs Taiwanese Ministers of Transportation and Communications Taiwanese people from Shandong People from Penglai, Shandong Engineers from Shandong Expatriates in Nigeria Tennessee Valley Authority