Zhang Zhizhong

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Not to be confused with Zhang Zizhong.
In this Chinese name, the family name is Zhang.

Zhang Zhizhong
張治中
People's Republic of China
In office
27 September 1954 – 10 April 1969
Governor of Xinjiang
In office
1 April 1946 – 21 May 1947
Preceded byWu Zhongxin
Succeeded byMasud Sabri
Governor of Hunan
In office
20 November 1937 – 21 January 1939
Preceded byHe Jian
Succeeded byXue Yue
Personal details
Born27 October 1890
(1937)
Battle of Changsha (1939), Ili Rebellion
Zhang Zhizhong
Hanyu Pinyin
Zhāng Zhìzhōng

Zhang Zhizhong or Chang Chih-chung (27 October 1890 – 6 April 1969) was a Chinese military commander and politician, general in the

People's Republic of China
.

Originally a supporter and close associate of

Japan and nationalization of foreign-owned businesses. In 1949 he defected from the Nationalists, becoming a follower of Mao Zedong, and went on to hold high office in the new Communist government, serving as Vice Chairman of the National Defense Council (1954–1969) and Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress (1965–1969).[1]

Life

He was born in

Whampoa Military Academy. He participated in the Northern Expedition, and after the Nationalists established the new republican government in Nanjing, became the Commandant of the Central Military Academy
in 1929, a post he held for 8 years, until 1937. This was a highly important and sensitive assignment, as Zhang was given the task of moulding the beliefs and ideology of the young officer candidates.

He joined in Generalissimo

defense of Shanghai
against Japan in 1937. During these years, Zhang was generally regarded as one of Chiang's trusted confidants.

Later in the

Great Fire of Changsha
, a fire that got out of control when he ordered key buildings razed in anticipation of a coming Japanese attack (which failed to materialize at the expected time). He was relieved of his duty after this event and several individuals responsible for the faulty intelligence were executed.

In 1940, he became the Director of the Political Department of the Military Affairs Commission, another highly sensitive position, indicating Chiang's continued trust in him.[1] He was Governor of Xinjiang in 1946 and 1947.[2] After his retirement he remained in Xinjiang. The whole time he had to deal with the Ili Rebellion.

In 1949, Zhang was made the chief negotiator of the Nationalists for peace talks with the Communists in Beijing. After the failure of the negotiations, he remained in Beijing and announced his withdrawal from the Kuomintang. After that, he was instrumental in persuading his close friend General Tao Zhiyue (then the Nationalist Governor of Xinjiang) to also defect to the Communists, an action which greatly helped in the mostly peaceful incorporation of Xinjiang into the People's Republic of China.

Mao Zedong greatly appreciated Zhang's services and appointed him to high positions in the new People's Republic. Zhang Zhizhong served as Vice Chairman of the Northwest China Military and Political Committee (1949–1954), Vice Chairman of the National Defense Council (1954–1969) and Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress (1965–1969).[1]

During the Cultural Revolution, he managed to escape persecution due to the protection of Zhou Enlai. He died in April 1969, aged 78.[1]

Timeline of military career

  • 1929–1937: Commandant of the
    Central Military Academy
  • 1932: General Officer Commanding V Corps
  • 1937: General Officer Commanding Nanjing and Shanghai Garrison
  • 1937: Commander in Chief 9th Army Group
  • 1937: Commander in Chief Central Forces and 3rd War Zone
  • 1940: Chief
    Aide-de-Camp to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek
  • 1940–1945: Director of the Political Department of the Military Affairs Commission
  • 1940–1945: Member of the Military Affairs Commission
  • 1940–1945: Secretary-General of the Youth Corps San Min Chu I
  • 1945–1949: Director of Nationalist North-western Headquarters
  • 1946–1947: Chairman of the Government of Xinjiang Province
  • 1949–1954: Vice Chairman of the Northwest China Military and Political Committee,
    People's Republic of China
  • 1954–1969: Vice Chairman of the National Defense Council, People's Republic of China

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e ZHANG ZHIZHONG (1890–1969), in Historical Dictionary of Modern China (1800–1949), by James Z. Gao, 2009, p.p. 437–438, The Scarecrow Press
  2. ISBN 978-90-04-28809-6
    .

Sources

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