Michael Teo Eng Cheng

For other uses, see Michael Teo (disambiguation).

In this Chinese name, the family name is Teo.

Michael Teo Eng Cheng PPA(E)
Born	1948 (age 76–77) Malayan Union
Allegiance	Singapore
Service / branch	Republic of Singapore Air Force
Years of service	1968–1992
Rank	Brigadier-General
Commands	Chief of Air Force Commander, Republic of Singapore Air Force
Awards	See awards and decorations
Alma mater	Tufts University (MA) Auburn University (BS)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	張榮清
Simplified Chinese	张荣清
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhāng Róngqīng IPA [ʈʂáŋ.ɻʊ̌ŋ.tɕʰíŋ]

Michael Teo Eng Cheng PPA(E) is a Singaporean former diplomat and brigadier-general who served as Commander of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) from 1985 to 1990, and Chief of Air Force from 1990 to 1992.[1][2]

Education

Teo attended Auburn University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1984. In August 1992, after stepping down as Chief of Air Force, Teo began studying at Tufts University, and graduated with a Master of Arts in international relations in 1993.[2][3][4][5]

Military career

Teo enlisted in the Singapore Armed Forces in June 1968, and served as a fighter pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force, operating the Northrop F-5E.[6][7] During his career in the military, Teo has also held the appointments of squadron commander and Head, Air Operations Department.[7]

Teo was promoted from the rank of colonel to brigadier-general on 1 July 1987.[7][8]

Teo was appointed as the first Commander of RSAF from 1 November 1985 to 31 April 1990, and later as the first Chief of Air Force on 1 May 1990.[1][2] Under his leadership, the RSAF acquired eight new General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, operationalised the 145 Squadron with 20 ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk, and equipped the island with air defence systems.[1][9][10]

On 31 August 1992, Teo stepped down, and was succeeded by Bey Soo Khiang.[3][2]

Diplomacy career

In August 1993, Teo joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was appointed as the high commissioner-designate.[4] On 12 February 1994, Teo was appointed as high commissioner to New Zealand, and stepped down in July 1996.[5][11]

From August 1996 to December 2001, he was appointed as ambassador to the Republic of Korea, and concurrently served as the ambassador to Mongolia from April 1997 to December 2001.[5][12][13]

On 21 January 2002, Teo was appointed as high commissioner to the United Kingdom, while concurrently serving as the ambassador to Ireland, before stepping down in July 2011.[14][15][16]

From September 2011 to August 2014, Teo was appointed as high commissioner to Australia.[16][17][18]

Personal life

Teo is married to Joyce Ng and has two children.[11][14]

Awards and decorations

• Public Administration Medal (Military) (Gold), in 1989.[11][19][20][21]
• Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (20 Years) Medal
• Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (10 Years) Medal
• Singapore Armed Forces Good Service Medal
• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand, in 1990.[22]
• Bintang Swa Bhuwana Paksa Utama (1st Class), in 1991.[23]

References

1. "The Citations". The Straits Times. 11 November 1989. p. 28. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
2. "BG Bey Soo Khiang to be next Chief of Air Force". The Straits Times. 11 July 1992. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
3. "New air chief". The New Paper. 11 July 1992. p. 4. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
4. "Appointment of Singapore's High Commissioner to New Zealand" (PDF). www.nas.gov.sg. 8 February 1994. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
5. "Singapore's new envoy to Korea". The Straits Times. 8 August 1996. p. 45. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
6. "S'pore air force commander BG Teo flies the SU-27". The Straits Times. 20 February 1990. p. 23. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
7. "Two rise to rank of Brigadier-General". The Straits Times. 1 July 1987. p. 1. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
8. "Armed forces promotes 245 officers". The Business Times. 1 July 1987. p. 3. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
9. "First five of eight planes in after five-day trip from US". The Straits Times. 10 January 1990. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
10. "RSAFs first Super Skyhawk squadron ready operationally". The Straits Times. 25 February 1992. p. 20. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
11. "2 ex-military men among 3 new envoys". The Straits Times. 12 February 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
12. "Ambassador to Mongolia appointed". The Business Times. 2 April 1997. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
13. "BG Teo appointed envoy to Mongolia". The Straits Times. 2 April 1997. p. 23. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
14. "Appointment of Singapore's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom". www.nas.gov.sg. 4 January 2002. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
15. "Egypt, UK get new Singapore diplomats". Today. 5 January 2002. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
16. "New envoy to Australia". The Straits Times. 25 August 2011. p. 7. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
17. "Australia-Singapore Relations: Towards an Enduring Partnership". Asia Society Australia. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
18. "About the High Commission". MFA. 4 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
19. "Orchid grower reaps a star". The Straits Times. 9 August 1989. p. 14. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
20. "Banker, judge top N-Day awards list". The Straits Times. 9 August 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
21. "National Day honours list". The Straits Times. 12 August 1989. p. 5. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
22. ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ (PDF) (in Thai). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
23. Jacob, Paul (20 July 1991). "Indonesia awards medal to RSAF chief". The Straits Times. p. 17. Retrieved 20 September 2024.

Military offices
New office	Chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force 1 May 1990 – 31 August 1992	Succeeded by Brigadier-General Bey Soo Khiang