Huang then completed advanced studies in the United States at Cornell University, where he earned a second M.S.

After returning to National Taiwan University in 1984 as a professor, he was appointed the Secretary-General of Taipei City Government in 1987.

During the final year of Huang's term, under the pressure of democratization, the office of mayor became directly elected.

The loss could be partly ascribed to the split between the Kuomintang and Chinese New Party within the Pan-Blue Coalition.

Although the entire Pan-Blue Coalition gained more votes, Huang only received 25.89% of the voter turnout, allowing Democratic Progressive Party candidate Chen Shui-bian to be elected in a traditional pro-Chinese unification city and Mainlander stronghold.