Teng was born on 7 September 1912 in Jiangyin County, Jiangsu Province, to a wealthy and dominant family.

Teng worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China.

From March 1961 to 5 December 1969, he was the Vice-minister of the Ministry of Education (Republic of China).

From December 1957 to September 1962, Teng was the Chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee.

Teng served as the International Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of China.