Wang Hsi-ling

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Wang Hsi-ling
Chinese: 汪希苓

Vice-Admiral Wang Hsi-ling, also spelled Wang Shi-ling or Wong Hsi-ling, was the head of Republic of China Ministry of National Defense's intelligence bureau and the highest ranking officer in the military of the Republic of China ever court-martialed.[1][2]

Wang was implicated during the murder trial of United Bamboo Gang leader Chen Chi-li, when evidence arose Chen claimed that Wang had ordered him to go to Daly City, California to kill dissident journalist Henry Liu in 1984.[3] American officials travelled to Taiwan to interview him and administer a polygraph examination in February 1985; then-President Chiang Ching-kuo was at first reluctant, but on 8 February acceded to their demand. Wang denied that he had ordered Chen to kill Liu, stating he only wanted chen to "teach Liu a lesson", and further denied that his superiors had approved the killing. His three interviewers agree that they polygraph results showed both of his statements were false.[4] On 19 April 1985, he was sentenced to life in prison by a Taipei military tribunal; He could have faced the death penalty.[5] Less than a month later, Chen retracted all of his testimony implicating Wang.[1]

Wang was imprisoned at the Taiwan Garrison Command facility for political prisoners in Jingmei, Taipei County; his cell was reportedly equipped with a kitchen and a study, and his family was allowed to live with him.[6] He, Chen, and Chen's associate Wu Tun were granted clemency in 1991 and released from prison, having served less than six years of their life sentences.[7] It was never determined for whom Wang was covering up, though scholars agree that he was not the initiator of the plan. Later analysts suggest that Chiang's son Chiang Hsiao-wu ordered the killings.[4] However, as late as 2007, Republic of China officials continued to deny any connection of Chiang's to the case.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Taiwan Murderer Changes His Story", The New York Times, 1985-05-11. Retrieved on 2007-11-12. 
  2. ^ Morain, Dan. "Taiwan Probing Link to Murder; Intelligence Officials Tied to Death of Writer in U.S.", Los Angeles Times, 1985-01-17. Retrieved on 2008-01-06. 
  3. ^ "Taiwan Admiral Named at Murder Trial", The New York Times, 1985-03-21. Retrieved on 2007-11-12. 
  4. ^ a b Taylor, Jay (2000). The Generalissimo's Son: Chiang Ching-Kuo and the Revolutions in China and Taiwan. Harvard University Press, pp. 385-394. ISBN 0674002873. 
  5. ^ Chang, Wendel. "Taiwan admiral gets life in Calif. slaying", Philadelphia Daily News, 1985-04-19. Retrieved on 2008-01-04. 
  6. ^ "總統:汪希苓特區和政治犯牢房 天堂與地獄 (President: Wang Hsi-ling's 'special area' and political prisoners' cells — heaven and hell)", Yam News, 2007-12-10. Retrieved on 2008-01-06. (Chinese) 
  7. ^ "Taiwan Gives Clemency to 3 Convicted of Slaying Writer", The New York Times, 1991-01-22. Retrieved on 2007-11-12. 
  8. ^ "台情報員口述江南案內幕:與蔣無關 (Taiwan intelligence operative gives behind-the-scenes description of the Henry Liu case: No connection to Chiang)", Ta Kung Pao, 2007-11-11. Retrieved on 2008-01-06. (Chinese) 

[edit] Further reading