Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator John Chiang (
Chang Ya-juo (
John Chiang told TV stations TVBS and Broadcasting Corp of China that he is certain his mother was slain by one of his father's aides, but that his father had not ordered the murder.
"I'm sure [Chiang Ching-kuo] was not aware of the plot," he said. "But I'm sure my mother was murdered, and that the murderer was my father's close aide."
"My father had no advance knowledge of the murder, and it was not directed by him. I know that my father did not order the murder. I forgive him and feel no hatred toward him," the lawmaker, and Taipei mayoral hopeful, was quoted as saying.
He said the details of his claim about the murder will be revealed in his memoirs, which are to be published after the Lunar New Year holidays.
He would not say how he knew the identity of the murderer -- who he said is still alive -- but said that everyone could find out when his book is published.
"Of course I forgive him [the murderer]. I just said that forgiveness is necessary. My mother is dead, and we have moved on," he said.
"I'm no longer harboring resentment in my mind after so many years," he said.
John Chiang said both he and his brother had been in danger for being Chiang Ching-kuo's illegitimate sons.
"It wan't until recently that I realized how dangerous it was. The murderer had attempted to kill me and Hsiao-tzu (章孝慈)," he said.
The twins fled to Taiwan in 1949 with their maternal uncle and aunt, who raised them. The twins used their mother's family name, not Chiang. Winston died of a brain tumor in 1996.
Last year the lawmaker legally changed his surname to Chiang, after the death of Chiang Ching-kuo's wife Faina Chiang Fang-liang (
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS