Saturday 3 October 2009
China’s Deng Xiaoping survived at least 7 assassination attempts
Deng had led an eventful life. His rocky political career was well documented, having survived three ousters from the centre of power. But even more fascinating is his record for surviving more assassination attempts than any other Chinese leaders.
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China’s Deng Xiaoping survived at least 7 assassination attempts
02 October 2009
Deng Xiaoping, hailed as the architect of China’s reform, was instrumental in turning the country into an economic superpower that it is today.
Deng had led an eventful life. His rocky political career was well documented, having survived three ousters from the centre of power. But even more fascinating is his record for surviving more assassination attempts than any other Chinese leaders.
According to recently declassified information in China, the late Chinese leader had survived at least seven assassination attempts. The first one took place in Jiangxi province in 1969, two days before Christmas.
A group of militia had stormed the compound where Deng was held under house arrest. The attackers opened fire and killed many in the room, but it turned out that they had mistaken the guards’ residence as Deng’s.
Another attempt was made on February 21, 1973. A military aircraft was assigned to take Deng from Beijing to Jiangxi. But a last-minute urgent order was issued from Beijing, instructing Deng to take the train.
Additional security was also deployed for his protection. The aircraft, which Deng was supposed to board, exploded above Anhui Province on its way to Jiangxi.
Another prominent assassination attempt was made in April 1976 when Deng’s residence in the suburb of Beijing suddenly caught fire. The blaze was so intense that the house was quickly burnt to the ground. Fortunately, Deng was out during the attack.
Deng had also survived a sniper ambush, an attempt at tampering his car, and random shootings. Until today, all cases remain unsolved.
The Chinese statesman died at the age of 92 in 1997, one of the longest living senior Chinese leaders in the history of the country.
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