Background
He was born in Canton, Kwangtung, China.
He was born in Canton, Kwangtung, China.
After receving his preliminary education at the Shanghai Baptist College (now University of Shanghai), he went to England and studied at London University graduating with Bachelor of Science degree.
Upon return to China, Hai-an Tang joined the National Government at Canton to organise the Commission of Industry and later was appointed commissioner for Prevention of Smuggling and director-general of Wine and Tobacco Revenue Bureau.
When the Nationalist Government was removed to Wuhan, he was appointed director-general of the Stamp Tax Revenue Department and director of Department for Prevention of Smuggling.
Later, Mr. Tang was made chairman of the Administrative - Council and concurrently Commissioner of Police of Special District No. 3 at Hankow, in which capacity he won reputation an efficient administrator. Upon establishment of National Government at Nanking, he was again appointed director-general of Department for Prevention of Smuggling and concurrently director of the Kiangsu Bureau for Prevention of Smuggling. He was appointed secretary to Minister of Finance T. V. Soong and concurrently superintendent of Customs at Hwaian. He was transferred as superintendent of Customs at Chinkiang.