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Chen Yi | |
|---|---|
陈毅 | |
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| Vice Premier of China | |
| In office September 1954 – January 1972 | |
| Premier | Zhou Enlai |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 11 February 1958 – 6 January 1972 | |
| Premier | Zhou Enlai |
| Deputy | Luo Guibo |
| Preceded by | Zhou Enlai |
| Succeeded by | Ji Pengfei |
| Party Secretary of Shanghai | |
| In office 1950–1954 | |
| Preceded by | Rao Shushi |
| Succeeded by | Ke Qingshi |
| 8thMayor of Shanghai | |
| In office May 1949 – November 1958 | |
| Preceded by | Zhao Zukang |
| Succeeded by | Ke Qingshi |
| 1st President of theChina Foreign Affairs University | |
| In office 1955–1969 | |
| Preceded by | none |
| Succeeded by | Liu Chun Closed until 1980 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Chen Shijun (陈世俊) (1901-08-26)26 August 1901 |
| Died | 6 January 1972(1972-01-06) (aged 70) |
| Spouses | |
| Relations | Wang Guangya |
| Children | Chen Haosu,Chen Xiaolu |
| Nickname(s) | 元帅诗人 (yuán shuài shī rén, "The poet marshal") 陈老总 (Chén lǎozǒng, "Old Chief Chen") 501 (military call sign) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  People's Republic of China |
| Branch/service |  People's Liberation Army Ground Force |
| Years of service | 1927–1972 |
| Rank | Marshal of People's Republic of China |
| Commands |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
|
Chen Yi (Chinese:陈毅;pinyin:Chén Yì;Wade–Giles:Chen I; August 26, 1901 – January 6, 1972) was a Chinese communist military commander and politician. He served asMayor of Shanghai from 1949 to 1958 and asForeign Minister of China from 1958 to 1972. He is one ofTen Marshals of the People's Republic of China.
Chen was born inLezhi County nearChengdu,Sichuan, into a moderately wealthy magistrate's family. His family was ofHakka descent.[2]
A comrade ofLin Biao from their guerrilla days, he was prominent in the Jiangxi Soviet. Later, due to a leg injury, he was the only one of the later Ten Marshals to have not participated in the Long March. Thus, Chen was later made a commander under Ye Ting in the New Fourth Army. After the Wannan Incident, Chen succeeded Ye Ting as commander of theNew Fourth Army during theSino-Japanese War (1937-1945). He played a pivotal role as commander of the 3rd Field Army working closely with his close friend and comradeSu Yu. When Su Yu showed his expertise and talent in large formational warfare, the division of labour between them meant that Chen Yi remained in command of 3rd Field Army, but mainly focused on rallying support for Su Yu's plans as well as focusing on political work, which was his area of expertise. Thus, he and Su Yu spearheaded theShandong counter-offensive during theChinese Civil War, and later commanded the Communist armies that defeated the KMT forces during theHuaihai Campaign and conquered the lowerYangtze region in 1948–49. After the capture of Shanghai, he remained in Shanghai as Mayor where he oversaw the economic stabilisation and reconstruction. In 1950, he offered to take command of the People's Volunteer Army in Korea, but Mao declined, possibly because Chen's partnerSu Yu was in poor health due to shrapnel injury and selected Peng Dehuai instead. He was promoted tomarshal in 1955.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chen became mayor of Shanghai. He also served as vice premier from 1954 to 1972 and foreign minister from 1958 to 1972 and president of theChina Foreign Affairs University from 1961 to 1969. As vice premier, he was present during the breakup of Sino-Soviet relations. In August 1960, Chen Yi attempted to ease tensions with the Soviets, declaring on one instance to theSoviet Ambassador to Beijing that Moscow should stop "severing the friendship between the two nations," and two weeks later to the Sovietdeputy foreign minister that Moscow and Beijing shouldboth try to save the alliance.[3]
Like other Chinese policymakers, Chen viewed the July 1963Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty as demonstrating a US-USSR re-alignment against China.[4]: 96–97 Chen described it was "targeted against us."[4]: 96
During theCultural Revolution, Chen was one of the most vocal leaders in theFebruary Countercurrent, which criticized the Cultural Revolution for creating social disorder and undermining China's leadership.[5]: 154 As a result, he was required to request a leave of absence and undertakeself-criticism,[5]: 154 but he was never dismissed, soZhou Enlai performed the duties of foreign minister in his place.
Addressing China's support for revolution in the context of principles of self-reliance, Chen stated in 1963 that "China will support revolutions both morally and politically. We are Marxists. We must support them ... But it must be noted, Chinese troops will not cross our borders to advance revolution."[6]: 122
He was a member of the8th CPC Politburo from 1956 to 1967 but was not admitted to the9th Politburo (1969), though he was a member of the9th CPC Central Committee.
After MarshalLin Biao's death in 1971, he was restored to favour, although not to his former power.Mao Zedong attended Chen's funeral in 1972.[7] This was Mao's last public appearance and his first appearance at anyone's funeral during the Cultural Revolution.
When not in military uniform, Chen Yi was known for his trademark sunglasses and white shirt. He was an avidweiqi player and was prominent in promoting the game to a professional level in the People's Republic of China.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Mayor of Shanghai 1949–1958 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of Foreign Affairs 1958–1972 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Committee 1950–1954 | Succeeded by |
| Academic offices | ||
| New title | President of theChina Foreign Affairs University 1955–1969 | Succeeded by Liu Chun Closed until 1980 |
TenMarshals of the People's Republic of China | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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