A Shot at Chiang

The visit to the U.S. of Vice-Premier Chiang Ching-kuo, the 60-year-old eldest son of Nationalist China President Chiang Kaishek, was meant to be a quiet affair. He was the guest of Secretary of State William Rogers, who visited Taiwan last summer and invited the general to meet top officials of the Nixon Administration at his convenience. Chiang, the shy, tough head of Taiwan's secret police, dined at the White House but had no private talks with the President. Although his government is unhappy about recent U.S. overtures to Red China, there apparently was no urgent matter to discuss.

The only troublesome aspect of the visit was providing security for Chiang, who is expected eventually to succeed his father as Chief of State. While the Nationalists have contributed greatly to economic progress on Taiwan since they fled the Chinese mainland in 1949, their takeover of the island is bitterly resented by many Taiwanese, who also object to the autocratic power of the Chinese Nationalist government. Operating mainly out of the haven of other countries, most notably the U.S., a movement of such Taiwanese is agitating for an independent Taiwan. Demonstrators marshaled by the World United Formosans for Independence, headquartered in New York City, harassed Chiang during his U.S. tour.

"Little Chiang," as he is known on Taiwan, draws such attacks partly because he has long managed to remain a mysterious figure. He went to Mos cow when he was 16, where he joined the Komsomol and studied guerrilla tactics but later broke with Stalin. He rejoined his father in China in 1937, bringing with him his Russian wife Fanina, and from Taiwan has directed guerrilla activities against Red China.

Some 25 members of the independence organization were waiting outside Manhattan's Plaza Hotel when Chiang arrived for a luncheon meeting of the Far East/America Council of Commerce and Industry. As Chiang walked through the revolving door of the hotel, an Oriental wearing a raincoat ran toward him, pointing a black automatic pistol. New York Detective James Ziede, part of Chiang's security detail, saw the man and grabbed his arm; the assailant's shot, apparently aimed at Chiang, struck the glass door but missed the Vice Premier. The attacker was identified as Peter Huang, 32, a Taiwan-born Chinese who claimed to be a member of the World United Formosans group. Police also arrested another Chinese, Tzu-tai Cheng, who had joined the scuffle as Huang was arrested.

Seemingly unshaken, Chiang Ching-kuo continued with his scheduled appearances, although nervous security forces were strengthened to protect him. There was little doubt that the assassination attempt was a serious one and that only Ziede's quick action had saved Chiang from serious injury or death. The incident clearly indicated that the ever-present resentment of Mainlander rule is increasing in Taiwan. One of the fears of many anti-Chiang Taiwanese, however farfetched it may seem now, is that they might some day be delivered to Communist China in a deal made by Chiang Ching-kuo. They refuse to believe that he has renounced his Communist ties.

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