Wang Hsi-ling
Encyclopedia
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.
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. 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. On 19 April 1985, he was sentenced to life in prison by a Taipei
military tribunal; He could have faced the death penalty. Less than a month later, Chen retracted all of his testimony implicating Wang.
Wang was imprisoned at the Taiwan Garrison Command
facility for political prisoners in Jingmei
, Taipei County
(now Wenshan District
, Taipei City); his cell was reportedly equipped with a kitchen and a study, and his family was allowed to live with him. 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. 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. However, as late as 2007, Republic of China officials continued to deny any connection of Chiang's to the case.
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
Ministry of National Defense's intelligence bureau and the highest ranking officer in the military of the Republic of China
Military of the Republic of China
The Republic of China Armed Forces encompass the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Military Police Force of the Republic of China . It is a military establishment, which accounted for 16.8% of the central budget in the fiscal year of 2003...
ever court-martialed.
Wang was implicated during the murder trial of United Bamboo Gang
United Bamboo Gang
The United Bamboo Gang is the largest of Taiwan's three main Triads. They are reported to have roughly 10,000 members. The membership consists largely of waishengren, and has close ties to the Kuomintang; they are said to be motivated as much by political ideology as by profit...
leader Chen Chi-li
Chen Chi-li
Chen Chi-li , nicknamed King Duck, was a gangster from Taiwan, best known for heading the United Bamboo Gang...
, when evidence arose Chen claimed that Wang had ordered him to go to Daly City
Daly City, California
Daly City is the largest city in San Mateo County, California, United States, with a 2010 population of 101,123. Located immediately south of San Francisco, it is named in honor of businessman and landowner John Daly.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to kill dissident journalist Henry Liu
Chiang Nan
Henry Liu , often known by his pen name Chiang Nan , was a writer and journalist from Taiwan, Republic of China...
in 1984. American officials travelled to Taiwan to interview him and administer a polygraph
Polygraph
A polygraph measures and records several physiological indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions...
examination in February 1985; then-President
President of the Republic of China
The President of the Republic of China is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Republic of China . The Republic of China was founded on January 1, 1912, to govern all of China...
Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo , Kuomintang politician and leader, was the son of President Chiang Kai-shek and held numerous posts in the government of the Republic of China...
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. On 19 April 1985, he was sentenced to life in prison by a Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
military tribunal; He could have faced the death penalty. Less than a month later, Chen retracted all of his testimony implicating Wang.
Wang was imprisoned at the Taiwan Garrison Command
Taiwan Garrison Command
The Taiwan Garrison Command was a secret police/state security body which existed under the Republic of China military on Taiwan. The agency was established at the end of World War II, and operated throughout the Cold War. It was disbanded on August 1, 1992....
facility for political prisoners in Jingmei
Jingmei
Jingmei is a neighborhood in Taipei City. Formerly an administrative district, in 1990 it merged with Muzha into Wenshan District.Jingmei is located south of Taipei Main Station, the city's main transportation hub. Jingmei is known for its locally famous night market...
, Taipei County
Taipei County
New Taipei City is the most populous city of Taiwan. The area includes a substantial stretch of Taiwan's northern coastline and surrounds the Taipei Basin...
(now Wenshan District
Wenshan District
Wenshan District is the southernmost of the twelve districts of Taipei City. The district was formed in 1990 by combining Jingmei and Muzha. Wenshan previously referred to the region south of Taipei Basin .- Culture :...
, Taipei City); his cell was reportedly equipped with a kitchen and a study, and his family was allowed to live with him. 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. 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
Chiang Hsiao-wu
Chiang Hsiao-wu , was the second son of Chiang Ching-kuo, the President of the Republic of China in Taiwan from 1978 to 1988. His mother is Faina Ipatyevna Vakhreva, also known as Chiang Fang-liang. He had one older brother, Hsiao-wen, one older sister, Hsiao-chang, and one younger brother,...
ordered the killings. However, as late as 2007, Republic of China officials continued to deny any connection of Chiang's to the case.