Taipei: Minister of Culture Li Yuan announced intentions to recommend a posthumous citation for Charles Kao, a pioneer in Taiwan's publishing industry, following his passing at the age of 90. The minister highlighted Kao's significant contributions to the fields of magazine publishing, public policy, and economics in Taiwan.

According to Focus Taiwan, Charles Kao was born in Nanjing in 1936 and relocated to Taiwan with his family in 1949. His academic journey included studies at National Taipei University of Business and National Chung Hsing University, followed by advanced degrees from South Dakota State University and Michigan State University, where he earned a doctorate in economic development.

In 1981, Kao co-founded CommonWealth Magazine with journalists Yin Yun-peng and Wang Li-hsing, and subsequently, the Commonwealth Publishing Group in 1982 with Wang and Chang Tso-chin. His entrepreneurial spirit continued with the founding of Global Views Monthly in 1986 and Future Parenting magazine in 2002.

Throughout his career, Kao published over 40 books and nine in China, earning three Golden Tripod Awards, Taiwan's highest honor in publishing. In 2002, he received the Golden Tripod Award for Special Contribution, and in 2016, he was honored with the Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon by then-President Ma Ying-jeou.

Beyond his publishing achievements, Kao contributed as an adviser to several Executive Yuan ministries and served as a visiting professor at National Taiwan University's College of Management. He was instrumental in shaping Taiwan's economic policies through his research and advisory roles.

The Ministry of Culture noted Kao's lifelong commitment to Taiwan's social and economic development, emphasizing his role in promoting progressive ideas and providing insightful perspectives on various issues through his writings and publications.