Li Desheng

Chinese general

In this Chinese name, the family name is  Li.

Li Desheng

Director of the People's Liberation Army General Political Department
In office
1969–1975
Preceded by| Xiao Hua
Succeeded by| Zhang Chunqiao
Personal details
Born| (1916-05-04)4 May 1916
Guangshan County, Henan, China
Died| 8 May 2011(2011-05-08) (aged 95)
Beijing

Li Desheng (Chinese: 李德生; pinyin: Lǐ Déshēng; Wade–Giles: Li Te-sheng; 4 May 1916 – 8 May 2011) was a general in the Chinese People's Liberation Army. He was born in Xin County, Henan, China, an area now known as the "Cradle of Generals" for the large number of senior military officers born in the region.[1] He joined the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army at the age of 14, in 1930, the Communist Youth League in 1931, and the Chinese Communist Party a year later.[2] He attained the rank of major general in 1955, and general in 1988. The patterns of Li's advancement suggest that he was mentored by Chen Xilian, and that he was closely aligned with You Taizhong. Li Desheng served on the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party from 1969–1985, one of the most turbulent periods of the People's Republic. He died in Beijing on 8 May 2011.[3]

## Pre- and Post-Liberation

[edit]

Li was a regiment supply section political instructor in 1934 and a platoon leader in 1937. He participated in the Long March and the Hubei-Henan-Anhui revolutionary bases.[2] During the war against Japan, Li rose from platoon commander in 1937 to company commander in 1938, battalion commander in 1939-43, and regiment commander in 1943-45, all under the leadership of the 129th Division's Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping. Li was the 17th Brigade Commander from 1946–49, and served in the Central Plains Field Army during the Huaihai Campaign. Before the post-liberation reorganization, in which the 17th Brigade reemerged as the 12th Corps of the 2nd Field Army, Li led his 35th Division into the 1951-53 Korean War,[4] rising to the rank of Division Commander. After the Korean War, Li was promoted to major general and returned to Anhui Province in the Nanjing Military Region. Li became Deputy Commander, and later commander, of what eventually became the Jiangsu-based 12th Group Army. Li rose to the rank of Deputy Commander of the Nanjing Military Region in 1968-70.

## Cultural Revolution

[edit]

As the PLA moved to quell the Red Guards and reestablish governmental institutions during the Cultural Revolution, Li assumed the title of Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee (i.e., government and Party committee simultaneously) of Anhui Province in April 1968, a post he formally held for more than seven years. In October of the same year he took part at the 12th plenary session of the 8th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, during which Liu Shaoqi was officially expelled from the Party. A year later, in 1969, he participated at the 9th CCP National Congress, and was elected member of the CCP Central Committee and alternate member of the Politburo, as well as a member of the Central Military Commission.[5]

He saw his authority increase during the downfall of Lin Biao and his allies, apparently with support from Mao Zedong himself.[6] In 1970 he got the post of director of the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army (a position described as “Military Grand Inquisitor”[7]), and in Autumn 1971 he was appointed first secretary of the CCP Anhui Committee. Shortly after, he was appointed commander of the Beijing Military Region, as part of a plan by Mao to remove Lin Biao's allies from key posts.[8] In September, during Lin's attempted coup and death, Li Desheng took charge of the Beijing defence. In October, he was promoted to vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission.

In 1973, at the 10th CCP Congress, Li was elected a full member of the Politburo, as well as member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Vice-Chairman of the CCP Central Committee.[9] Although he was ranked last among the five vice-chairmen,[9] the combination of his posts made him very influential in Chinese politics.

Mao Zedong, however, soon started to criticize the activity of the Military Commission and to propose a rotation of military region commanders.[10] On December 22, 1973 Li switched posts with Chen Xilian, so becoming commander of the Shenyang Military Region. In the meantime, he apparently clashed with Jiang Qing.[10]

Li resigned during the 2nd plenary session of the 10th CCP Central Committee in January 1975, and politically disappeared until after the coup d’état against the Gang of Four, when he reemerged as a member of the CCP Central Military Commission in August 1977.[11] He also served as head of the Leading Group for the Prevention and Treatment of Endemic Dease in North China in 1977, political commissar of the Leading Group of All-Army Financial and Economical Discipline Inspection, and president of the Chinese Patriotic Programs Federation.

Li’s last jobs were as political commissar of the PLA National Defence University (1985–90) and vice-chairman of the Central Advisory Commission. At the time of his death he held the honorary presidency of the Beijing Institute of Modernization and the All-China Wushu Association, and had been a senior advisor to the China Society of Military Science since 1991.[12]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ The Museum of Revolutionary Base Archived 2011-04-04 at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ a b Editorial Board, Who's Who in China: Current Leaders (Foreign Language Press, Beijing: 1989), p. 315; hereafter Who's Who.
3. ^ Li Desheng Died, Sina.com, May 8, 2011.
4. ^ Swaine, p. 44, Who's Who, p. 315.
5. ^ Press Communique of the First Plenary Session of the Ninth Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (April 28, 1969)
6. ^ 人物风流：李德生将军担任中共中央副主席前后
7. ^ Whitson, William and Huang Chen-hsia, The Chinese High Command: A History of Military Politics, 1927-71 (Praeger, New York: 1973) p. 255, 550.
8. ^ Struggle to Smash the Lin-Ch'en Anti-Party Clique's Counterrevolutionary Coup, CCP Central Committee Document No. 4 (January 1972), in VV.AA. Chinese Politics: Ninth Party Congress (1969) to the death of Mao (1976), p. 146
9. ^ a b Press Communique of the First Plenary Session of the Tenth Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (August 30, 1973)
10. ^ a b 人物风流：李德生将军担任中共中央副主席前后
11. ^ http://rand.org/pubs/conf_proceedings/CF182/CF182.ch2.pdf Archived 2006-12-17 at the Wayback Machine, pp. 67-72.
12. ^ International Who's Who, 2004

Political offices

Preceded by

Huang Yan

as Governor of Anhui  |  Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of Anhui
1968–1973  |  Succeeded by

Song Peizhang
Vacant until 1975

Party political offices
Preceded by

Li Baohua
Vacant since 1967

|  Secretary of the CCP Anhui Committee
1971–1973  |  Succeeded by

Song Peizhang
Vacant until 1975

Preceded by

Lin Biao
Vacant since 1971

|  Vice Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party
1973–1975
Served alongside: Zhou Enlai, Kang Sheng, Wang Hongwen, Ye Jianying | Succeeded by

Zhou Enlai
Kang Sheng
Wang Hongwen
Ye Jianying
Deng Xiaoping

Military offices
Preceded by

Xiao Hua
Vacant since 1967

|  Director of the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army
1970–1975  | Succeeded by

Zhang Chunqiao

Preceded by

Zheng Weishan

|  Commander of the Beijing Military Region
1971–1973  | Succeeded by

Chen Xilian

Preceded by

Chen Xilian

|  Commander of the Shenyang Military Region
1973–1985  | Succeeded by

Liu Jingsong

* v
* t
* e

12th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party (1982–1987)

Standing Committee|

1. Hu Yaobang (General Secretary until Jan 1987)
2. Ye Jianying (retired Sep 1985)
3. Deng Xiaoping
4. Zhao Ziyang (Acting General Secretary after Jan 1987)
5. Li Xiannian
6. Chen Yun

Other members
in surname stroke order|

| Before 5th Plenum
(Sep 1985)|

* Wan Li
* Xi Zhongxun
* Wang Zhen
* Wei Guoqing
* Ulanhu
* Fang Yi
* Deng Yingchao
* Li Desheng
* Yang Shangkun
* Yang Dezhi
* Yu Qiuli
* Song Renqiong
* Zhang Tingfa
* Hu Qiaomu
* Nie Rongzhen
* Ni Zhifu
* Xu Xiangqian
* Peng Zhen
* Liao Chengzhi (died June 1983)

|

After 5th Plenum|

* Wan Li
* Xi Zhongxun
* Fang Yi
* Tian Jiyun
* Qiao Shi
* Li Peng
* Yang Shangkun
* Yang Dezhi
* Wu Xueqian
* Yu Qiuli
* Hu Qiaomu
* Hu Qili
* Yao Yilin
* Ni Zhifu
* Peng Zhen

Alternate members|

1. Yao Yilin (full member Sep 1985)
2. Qin Jiwei
3. Chen Muhua

7th→8th→9th→10th→11th→12th→13th→14th→15th→16th→17th→18th→19th→20th

* v
* t
* e

11th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party (1977–1982)

Standing Committee
(PSC)|

* Hua Guofeng (Chairman until June 1981; Vice-Chairman afterwards)
* Ye Jianying (Vice-Chairman)
* Deng Xiaoping (Vice-Chairman)
* Li Xiannian (Vice-Chairman)
* Wang Dongxing (Vice-Chairman; dismissed Feb 1980)
* Chen Yun (added Dec 1978; Vice-Chairman)
* Hu Yaobang (added Feb 1980; Chairman June 1981)
* Zhao Ziyang (added Feb 1980; Vice-Chairman June 1981)

Other members
in surname stroke order|

* Wei Guoqing
* Ulanhu
* Fang Yi
* Liu Bocheng
* Xu Shiyou
* Ji Dengkui (dismissed Feb 1980)
* Su Zhenhua (died Feb 1979)
* Li Desheng
* Wu De (dismissed Feb 1980)
* Yu Qiuli
* Zhang Tingfa
* Chen Yonggui
* Chen Xilian (dismissed Feb 1980)
* Geng Biao
* Nie Rongzhen
* Ni Zhifu
* Xu Xiangqian
* Peng Chong
* Deng Yingchao (added Dec 1978)
* Hu Yaobang (added Dec 1978, to PSC Feb 1980)
* Wang Zhen (added Dec 1978)
* Zhao Ziyang (added Sep 1979, to PSC Feb 1980)
* Peng Zhen (added Sep 1979)

Alternate members|

* Chen Muhua
* Zhao Ziyang (full member Sep 1979)
* Seypidin Azizi

7th→8th→9th→10th→11th→12th→13th→14th→15th→16th→17th→18th→19th→20th

* v
* t
* e

10th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party (1973–1977)

Standing Committee
(PSC)|

| before Oct 1976|

1. Mao Zedong (Chairman, died Sep 1976)
2. Zhou Enlai (Vice-Chairman, died Jan 1976)
3. Wang Hongwen (Vice-Chairman, arrested Oct 1976)
4. Kang Sheng (Vice-Chairman, died Dec 1975)
5. Ye Jianying (Vice-Chairman)
6. Li Desheng (Vice-Chairman, resigned Jan 1975)
7. Zhu De (died Jul 1976)
8. Zhang Chunqiao (arrested Oct 1976)
9. Dong Biwu (died Apr 1975)
10. Deng Xiaoping (added Jan 1975, Vice-Chairman; dismissed Apr 1976)
11. Hua Guofeng (added Apr 1976, Vice-Chairman)

|

after Oct 1976|

1. Hua Guofeng (Chairman)
2. Ye Jianying (Vice-Chairman)
3. Deng Xiaoping (Vice-Chairman, reinstated Jul 1977)

Other members
in surname stroke order|

* Wei Guoqing
* Liu Bocheng
* Jiang Qing (arrested Oct 1976)
* Xu Shiyou
* Hua Guofeng (to PSC Apr 1976)
* Ji Dengkui
* Wu De
* Wang Dongxing
* Chen Yonggui
* Chen Xilian
* Li Xiannian
* Yao Wenyuan (arrested Oct 1976)
* Deng Xiaoping (added Dec 1973, to PSC Jan 1975)
* Li Desheng (from PSC Jan 1975)

Alternate members|

1. Wu Guixian
2. Su Zhenhua
3. Ni Zhifu
4. Seypidin Azizi

7th→8th→9th→10th→11th→12th→13th→14th→15th→16th→17th→18th→19th→20th

* v
* t
* e

9th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party (1969–1973)

Standing Committee|

1. Mao Zedong (Chairman)
2. Lin Biao (Vice-Chairman, died Sep 1971)
3. Zhou Enlai
4. Chen Boda (dismissed Aug 1973)
5. Kang Sheng

Other members
in surname stroke order|

* Ye Qun (died Sep 1971)
* Ye Jianying
* Liu Bocheng
* Jiang Qing
* Zhu De
* Xu Shiyou
* Chen Xilian
* Li Xiannian
* Li Zuopeng (arrested Sep 1971)
* Wu Faxian (arrested Sep 1971)
* Zhang Chunqiao
* Qiu Huizuo (arrested Sep 1971)
* Yao Wenyuan
* Huang Yongsheng (arrested Sep 1971)
* Dong Biwu
* Xie Fuzhi (died Mar 1972)

Alternate members|

* Ji Dengkui
* Li Xuefeng (dismissed Aug 1973)
* Li Desheng
* Wang Dongxing

7th→8th→9th→10th→11th→12th→13th→14th→15th→16th→17th→18th→19th→20th

* v
* t
* e

Political leaders of Anhui since 1949

Party committee
secretaries|

* Zeng Xisheng
* Li Baohua
* Li Desheng
* Song Peizhang
* Wan Li
* Zhang Jingfu
* Zhou Zijian
* Huang Huang
* Li Guixian
* Lu Rongjing
* Hui Liangyu
* Wang Taihua
* Guo Jinlong
* Wang Jinshan
* Zhang Baoshun
* Wang Xuejun
* Li Jinbin
* Zheng Shanjie
* Han Jun
* Liang Yanshun

Congress
chairpersons|

* Gu Zhouxin
* Yang Weiping
* Wang Guangyu
* Meng Fulin
* Wang Taihua
* Guo Jinlong
* Wang Jinshan
* Zhang Baoshun
* Wang Xuejun
* Li Jinbin
* Zheng Shanjie
* Han Jun
* Liang Yanshun

Governors|

* Zeng Xisheng
* Huang Yan
* Li Desheng
* Song Peizhang
* Wan Li
* Zhang Jingfu
* Zhou Zijian
* Wang Yuzhao
* Lu Rongjing
* Fu Xishou
* Hui Liangyu
* Wang Taihua
* Xu Zhonglin
* Wang Jinshan
* Wang Sanyun
* Li Bin ♀
* Wang Xuejun
* Li Jinbin
* Li Guoying
* Wang Qingxian

Conference
chairpersons|

* Zeng Xisheng
* Li Baohua
* Gu Zhuoxin
* Zhang Kaifan
* Yang Haibo
* Shi Junjie
* Lu Rongjing
* Fang Zhaoxiang
* Yang Duoliang
* Wang Mingfang
* Xu Liquan
* Zhang Chang'er
* Tang Liangzhi

* v
* t
* e

Officers of the Beijing Military Region

Commanders|

* Yang Chengwu
* Yang Yong
* Zheng Weishan
* Li Desheng
* Chen Xilian
* Qin Jiwei
* Zhou Yibing
* Wang Chengbin
* Li Laizhu
* Li Xinliang
* Zhu Qi
* Fang Fenghui
* Zhang Shibo
* Song Puxuan

Political Commissar|

* Zhu Liangcai
* Lai Chuanzhu
* Liao Hansheng
* Li Xuefeng
* Xie Fuzhi
* Liu Geping
* Chen Xianrui
* Xie Xuegong
* Ji Dengkui
* Liu Zihou
* Wu De
* Qin Jiwei
* Yuan Shengping
* Fu Chongbi
* Yang Baibing
* Liu Zhenhua
* Zhang Gong
* Gu Shanqing
* Du Tiehuan
* Fu Tinggui
* Liu Fulian

Chief of Staff|

* Han Wei
* Zeng Mei
* Xiao Wenjiu
* Ma Weihua
* Xu Xin
* Zhou Yibing
* Zou Yuqi
* Huang Yunqiao
* Liang Guanglie
* Huang Xinsheng
* Chen Xitao
* Zhu Qi
* Gao Zhongxing
* Chang Wanquan
* Qiu Jinkai
* Wang Xibin
* Zhang Baoshu
* Wang Ning
* Bai Jianjun
* Shi Luze [zh]

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* FAST
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Australia

People|

* Trove

Other|

* IdRef

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