Former premier fights for his life in Taipei hospital

Former premier Sun Yun-suan (孫運璿) remained in critical condition yesterday after being admitted to the hospital on Jan. 30 to receive treatment for acute myocardial infarction with heart and lung complications, according to doctors at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei.

Sun, 93, was premier of the Republic of China from 1978 to 1984. Before becoming premier, he served as minister of economic affairs for nine years. He suffered a stroke 20 years ago and has relied on a wheelchair for mobility.

Sun was rushed to National Taiwan University Hospital on Jan. 30 after having difficulty breathing. He was later transferred to the Veterans General Hospital and has been in intensive care.

The doctors said at one time they could no longer detect his heartbeat, but managed to resuscitate him. He suffered acute heart failure and pulmonary edema. He became fully conscious and his temperature and blood pressure returned to normal, although he was still listed in critical condition.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) paid a 15-minute visit to Sun at the hospital yesterday morning.

Other political figures who have visited him in the past few days include Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and a number of senior members of the KMT and the Democratic Progressive Party.