Zhao Nanqi

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This is a Chinese and Korean name; the family name is Zhao (Cho).
Zhao Nanqi
赵南起
PLA Academy of Military Science
In office
1992–1995
Preceded byJiang Shunxue
Succeeded byXu Huizi
Personal details
Born(1927-04-20)20 April 1927
Hanyu Pinyin
Zhào Nánqǐ
Wade–GilesChao Nan-ch’i
IPA[ʈʂâʊ nǎntɕʰì]
Korean nameHangul조남기

Zhao Nanqi (Chinese: 赵南起; 20 April 1927 – 17 June 2018), or Cho Nam-gi (Korean: 조남기), was a General of the People's Republic of China and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from 1998 to 2003, and Vice-chairman of the 5th National People's Congress.

Born in

PLA Academy of Military Science (1992–1995). He attained the top military rank of three star General in 1988. From 1998 to 2003 he served as a Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
.

Early life

Cho Nam-gi (Zhao Nanqi in Mandarin Chinese) was born on 20 April 1927 in Cheongwon County in Korea under Japanese rule (in present-day Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea). Because of Japanese colonial policies that required Koreans to use Japanese-style names, he also used the Japanese surname Toyoda (豊田).[1]

In 1939, Zhao's family moved to

Communist Party of China in February 1947.[1][2]

Korean War

Zhao Nanqi (third from left) at the tomb of Mao Anying, 1958

When China resolved to intervene in the Korean War in October 1950, Zhao was deployed to Korea because of his proficiency in the Korean language. He served in the logistics department of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) alongside Mao Anying, the son of Chairman Mao Zedong.[1] Zhao evacuated the cave where the PVA headquarters were located just before American planes bombed it and killed Mao Anying in November 1950.[1]

Zhao distinguished himself during the celebrated Battle of Triangle Hill in October 1952, when the unit under his command braved American aerial bombing and transported 30,000 grenades from Andong, China to the 15th Corps in the front line within 15 hours.[1][2] He was also responsible for constructing the building in which the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953.[1]

After the armistice, Zhao was sent to study at the

PLA Logistics Academy. Because of his wartime experience, he was promoted to become a lecturer at the academy after only one year of study, and was asked to write a report of his experience and lessons learned during the war.[1] In 1957, he was appointed the director of the PVA office overseeing the withdrawal of the Chinese forces from Korea. He left North Korea together with the last PVA troops in 1958. After returning to China, he was received by Mao Zedong and Marshal Zhu De.[1]

Later career

After the Korean War, Zhao served in the

Political Commissar of the Tonghua Military Subdistrict in 1973. He was later promoted to Deputy Political Commissar and then Commissar of the Jilin Military District.[2][4]

In the 1980s, Zhao was the only Chinese military leader who concurrently served in important provincial civilian positions. He became Vice Governor of Jilin Province in April 1980 and was appointed

Deputy Party Committee Secretary of Jilin in October 1981, serving until 1985.[4]

In March 1985, Zhao was promoted to Deputy Director of the

PLA Academy of Military Science.[5]
In July 1995, Zhao officially retired from the People's Liberation Army, marked the end of his 50 years long military career.

From 1998 to 2003, Zhao served as vice-chairman of the 9th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.[2] He paid an official visit to North Korea in June 1998 and paid his respects to the grave of Mao Anying. In April 2000, he paid an official visit to South Korea; it was the first time he returned to his place of birth since he left at the age of 12.[1]

Zhao was a member of the

14th Central Committees of the Communist Party of China. He also served as vice-chairman of the Nationalities Committee of the 5th National People's Congress.[5]

Personal life

Zhao was married to Lin Chunshu (林春淑), a fellow Korean War veteran.[1]

Death

Zhao Nanqi died in Beijing on 17 June 2018, at the age of 91.[2][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Wu, Zhifei (11 March 2011). "赵南起：朝鲜族上将的传奇". People's Daily (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Jiang, Ziwen (18 June 2018). "朝鲜族上将赵南起逝世，被称为解放军现代后勤建设的领导者". Thepaper.cn (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  3. ^ "赵南起简历". China.com.cn (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7656-0880-2
    .
  5. ^ a b c "Biography of Zhao Nanqi". China Vitae. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  6. Xinhuanet. 18 June 2018. Archived from the original
    on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
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