Taiwan official leading missile production dies of heart attack

The deputy head of the Taiwan defence ministry's research and development unit was found dead on Saturday morning in a hotel room, succumbing to a heart attack.

This is according to the official Central News Agency.

Ou Yang Li-Hsing, deputy head of the military-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, had died in a hotel room in southern Taiwan, CNA reported.

Authorities said 57-year-old Ou Yang died of a heart attack, and the hotel room showed no sign of any 'intrusion', CNA said. According to the report, his family said he had a history of heart disease and a cardiac stent.

Ou Yang was on a business trip to the southern county of Pingtung, CNA said, adding that he had assumed the post early this year to supervise various missile production projects.

The military-owned body is working to double its yearly missile production capacity to close to 500 this year as the island boosts its combat power amid what it sees as China's growing military threat.