Born in 1923, Ming Ji (明驥) retired from his job as a major general in 1973. He then served as a director at the C.M.P.C. Studios and launched the in-house film technician training program, which cultivated film talents such as Li Ping-bing (李屏賓), Liao Pen-jung (廖本榕), Tu Duu-chih (杜篤之), and Liao Ching-song (廖慶松). In 1978, he took the general manager role of the Central Motion Picture Corporation and hired young directors and scriptwriters including Hou Hsiao-hsien (侯孝賢), Edward Yang, Wan Jen (萬仁), Hsiao Yeh (小野), and Wu Nien-jen (吳念真). The film ""In Our Time (光陰的故事)"" they produced during the martial law era, explored social issues through four vignettes, and marked the beginning of the New Taiwanese Cinema. The New Taiwanese Cinema films became internationally fluid and earned numerous recognitions by international film festivals and appreciated by foreign art film markets.

Dubbed the "Father of New Taiwanese Cinema", Ming was honored the 46th Golden Horse Award for lifetime achievement in 2009.

He passed away in 2012.