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{{short description|Chinese politician}}
{{Single source|date=April 2017}}
{{distinguish|Li Jisheng}}
[[File:Li Jishen.jpg|thumb|190px|Li Jishen]]
{{Chinese name|[[Li (李)|Li]]}}
{{family name hatnote|[[Li (李)|Li]]|lang=Chinese}}
{{One source|date=April 2017}}
'''Li Jishen''' ({{zh|s=李济深|t=李濟深|p=Lǐ Jìshēn}}; 5 November 1885 – 9 October 1959) was a [[China|Chinese]] military commander and statesman. He served as commander of the [[Fourth Army (National Revolutionary Army)|Fourth Army]] of the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]], governor of [[Guangdong]], military affairs commissioner, and acting president of the [[Whampoa Military Academy]]. After opposing [[Chiang Kai-shek]] and being expelled from the [[Kuomintang]] in 1947, he became one of the six [[Vice President of the People's Republic of China|Vice Chairmen of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China]] with that government's founding on October 1, 1949.
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Li Jishen
| native_name = {{nobold|李济深}}
| native_name_lang = zh
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Li Jishen.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| office = [[Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China (1949–1954)|Vice Chairman of the Central People's Government]]
| leader = [[Mao Zedong]]
| term_start = 1 October 1949
| term_end = 27 September 1954
| deputy =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| office1 = [[Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]]
| term_start1 = October 1949
| term_end1 = 9 October 1959
| 1blankname1 = Chairman
| 1namedata1 = [[Mao Zedong]]<br />[[Zhou Enlai]]
| deputy1 =
| predecessor1 =
| successor1 =
| office2 = [[Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress]]
| term_start2 = 27 September 1954
| term_end2 = 9 October 1959
| 1blankname2 = Chairman
| 1namedata2 = [[Liu Shaoqi]]<br />[[Zhu De]]
| deputy2 =
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| office3 = Chairman of [[Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang]]
| term_start3 = 1 January 1948
| term_end3 = 9 October 1959
| deputy3 =
| predecessor3 =
| successor3 = [[He Xiangning]]
| office4 = Chairman of [[China Zhi Gong Party]]
| term_start4 = May 1947
| term_end4 = April 1950
| deputy4 =
| predecessor4 = [[Chen Jiongming]]
| successor4 = [[Chen Qiyou]]
| pronunciation =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = 5 November 1885
| birth_place = [[Cangwu County|Cangwu]], [[Guangxi]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1959|10|09|1885|11|05}}
| death_place = [[Beijing]]
| death_cause =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| citizenship =
| nationality = [[People's Republic of China]]
| party = [[Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang]]
| otherparty = [[Kuomintang|Chinese Kuomintang]]<br>[[China Zhi Gong Party]]
| height =
| relations =
| children = [[Li Peiyao]] (son)
| mother = <!-- may be used (optionally with father parameter) in place of parents parameter (displays "Parent(s)" as label) -->
| father = <!-- may be used (optionally with mother parameter) in place of parents parameter (displays "Parent(s)" as label) -->
| relatives =
| residence =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| occupation =
| profession =
| known_for =
| salary =
| net_worth = <!-- Net worth should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| cabinet =
| committees =
| portfolio =
| awards = <!-- For civilian awards - appears as "Awards" if |mawards= is not set -->
| blank1 =
| data1 =
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| website = <!--Military service-->
| nickname =
| allegiance =
| branch =
| serviceyears =
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| unit =
| commands =
| battles =
| mawards = <!-- for military awards - appears as "Awards" if |awards= is not set -->
| military_blank1 =
| military_data1 =
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| s = 李济深
| t = 李濟深
| p = Lǐ Jìshēn
| w = Li<sup>3</sup> Chi<sup>4</sup>-shên<sup>1</sup>
| j = Lei5 Zai3 Sam1
}}

'''Li Jishen''' or '''Li Chi-shen''' (5 November 1885 &ndash; 9 October 1959) was a Chinese military officer and politician, general of the [[National Revolutionary Army]] of the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]], [[Vice President of the People's Republic of China]] (1949–1954), [[Vice Chairperson of the National People's Congress|Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress]] (1954–1959), [[Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference|Vice Chairman the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]] (1949–1959) and founder and first Chairman of the [[Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang|Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang]] (1948–1959).<ref name="cihai">Cihai Editorial Committee (eds). "Cihai" (1989 edition), p. 3319 Shanghai Lexicographic Publishing House. 1989.</ref>

Initially a supporter of [[Chiang Kai-shek]] and [[Kuomintang]], Li Jishen helped purge and murder Communists in the 1927 [[Shanghai massacre]], but eventually became one of Chiang's top internal rivals. Li accused Chiang of weakness in the face of [[Imperial Japan|Japanese]] aggression and of submission to Western financial interests. The two eventually reached an understanding, and Li went on to hold military commands during the [[Second Sino–Japanese War]]. However, after the end of the war, new disagreements with Chiang led to Li's expulsion from the Kuomintang. After this, for a time, he became leader of the splinter [[Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang|Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang]] (RCCK), then switched sides and joined the Communists, collaborating with [[Mao Zedong]] and holding political office in the new [[People's Republic of China]].

Li married several times and fathered many children. One of his sons, [[Li Peiyao]], also served as Chairman of the RCCK.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Li was born into a scholar-gentry family in [[Cangwu County]], [[Wuzhou]], [[Guangxi]] in 1886. His mother died when he was four years old. In 1903, Li enrolled at Wuzhou Middle School, where he studied under the right wing Kuomintang leader [[Hu Hanmin]]. In 1904, he transferred to the Liangguang Military Middle School in Guangdong, and three years later was selected for advanced study at the Officers Military Academy in [[Beijing]]. He interrupted his studies after the Wuchang revolt of October 1911 to serve as chief of staff of the 22nd division of the revolutionary army in [[Jiangsu]]. After the establishment of the Republic of China, Li completed his education and remained at the academy, now called the Military Staff College.<ref name="Boorman"/>
Li was born in [[Cangwu County]], [[Wuzhou]], [[Guangxi]], in 1886.<ref name="cihai"/> His family owned land, and some of his ancestors were [[Confucianism|Confucian]] scholars. His mother died when he was four years old. Li enrolled at Wuzhou Middle School, where he studied under the right wing Kuomintang leader [[Hu Hanmin]]. In 1904 he entered the Liangguang Accelerated Army Academy of the [[Qing Army|Qing Imperial Army]] in [[Guangdong]]. After graduation three years later, he was selected for advanced study at the [[Beiyang Army]] Officers Academy in [[Beijing]] (which later became the [[Baoding Military Academy]]). He interrupted his studies after the [[Wuchang Rebellion|Wuchang revolt]] of October 1911 to serve as chief of staff of the 22nd Division of the revolutionary army in [[Jiangsu]]. After the establishment of the Republic of China, Li completed his education and remained at the Beijing academy, now called the Military Staff College, this time as an instructor.<ref name="Boorman"/>


== Military career and Kuomintang ==
==Career==
Li returned to Guangdong in 1921 at the invitation of Guangdong Army chief of staff [[Deng Keng]]. Deng was assassinated in March 1922, and [[Chen Jiongming]] staged a coup in June of that year, which Li helped to put down. For this, he received command of the army's 1st Division.<ref name="Boorman"/>
Li returned to [[Guangdong]] in 1921 at the invitation of Guangdong Army chief of staff [[Deng Keng]] (邓铿). Deng was assassinated in March 1922, and [[Chen Jiongming]] staged a coup in June of that year, which Li helped to put down. For this, he received command of the army's 1st Division.<ref name="Boorman" />


[[File:Li Jishen4.jpg|thumb|Li Jishen in uniform.|200px]]
In 1924, after serving briefly as commissioner of reconstruction of the West River-Wuzhou area and as Wuzhou garrison commandor, Li became deputy dean of the newly established Whampoa Military Academy under Chiang Kai-shek. After [[Sun Yat-sen]]'s death in March 1925, the Guangdong government was reorganized as the National Government, and Li was appointed commander of the Fourth Army, which had formerly been the Guangdong Army. He spent the next year destroying Chen Jiongming's remaining power.<ref name="Boorman"/>
[[File:Li Jishen2.jpg|thumb|Li Jishen as pictured in ''[[The Most Recent Biographies of Chinese Dignitaries]]''.|200px]]
[[File:Soong and Li in the Founding Ceremony.jpg|thumb|Li Jishen (left) standing next to [[Soong Ching-ling]] in the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.|200px]]
[[File:新政协开幕式主席台.jpg|thumb|Opening ceremony of the First Plenary Session of the [[Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]] in September 1949. Left to right: [[Shen Junru]], Li Jishen, [[Mao Zedong]], [[Zhu De]], [[Guo Moruo]].|200px]]


In 1924, after serving briefly as commissioner of reconstruction of the West River-Wuzhou area and as Wuzhou garrison commander, Li became Deputy Dean of the newly established [[Whampoa Military Academy]] under Chiang Kai-shek. After [[Sun Yat-sen]]'s death in March 1925, the Guangdong government was reorganized as the National Government, and Li was appointed commander of the 4th Army, which had formerly been the Guangdong Army. He spent the next year destroying Chen Jiongming's remaining power.<ref name="Boorman"/>
When the [[Northern Expedition]] began in July 1926, Li's Fourth Army joined the push northward. During this time, Li also served as governor of Guangdong, military affairs commissioner, and acting president of the Whampoa Military Academy. In 1927, he was elected to the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang. In November 1927, Li left Guangdong with [[Wang Jingwei]] to attend a plenary session of the Committee in [[Shanghai]] on the subject of restoring party unity. In his absence, [[Zhang Fakui]] staged a coup. Forces loyal to Li forced Zhang to surrender, and Li returned to Guangdong on 4 January 1928.<ref name="Boorman"/>


When the [[Northern Expedition]] began in July 1926, Li's 4th Army joined the push northward. During this time, Li also served as Governor of Guangdong, military affairs commissioner, and acting president of the Whampoa Military Academy. In 1927, he was elected to the Central Executive Committee of the [[Kuomintang]] and helped Chiang in the [[Shanghai Massacre|purge and massacre of Communists]].
On 7 February 1928, Li was made a member of the standing committee of the Military Affairs Commission. He was also made commander in chief of the newly established [[Eighth Route Army]]. On 1 March, Li became chairman of the Guangdong branch political council of the Kuomintang, and on 30 March he was made chief of the general staff of the Northern Expedition. During the remainder of the year, Li attended meetings in Beijing, and briefly served as acting commander in chief of the Nationalist forces when Chiang Kai-shek left Beijing for [[Nanjing]]. He was appointed to the State Council on 8 October and resigned as governor of Guangdong in November.<ref name="Boorman"/>


In November 1927, Li left Guangdong with [[Wang Jingwei]] to attend a plenary session of the Committee in [[Shanghai]] on the subject of restoring party unity. In his absence, [[Zhang Fakui]] staged a coup. However, officers loyal to Li successfully put down the coup, forcing Zhang to surrender, and Li returned to Guangdong on 4 January 1928.<ref name="Boorman"/>
===Sino-Japanese war and the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang===
In 1929, Li traveled to Nanjing to attend the Third National Congress and mediate a dispute that had arisen between the Nationalist government and the [[New Guangxi clique]]. However, talks broke down in March, the members of the clique were expelled from the Kuomintang, and Li was placed in detention. He was not freed until after the Japanese attack on [[Mukden]] in 1931.<ref name="Boorman"/>


On 7 February 1928, Li was made a member of the standing committee of the [[Military Affairs Commission]]. He was also made commander in chief of the newly established [[Eighth Route Army]]. On 1 March, Li became chairman of the Guangdong branch of the Political Council of the Kuomintang, and on 30 March he was made chief of the general staff of the Northern Expedition. During the remainder of the year, Li attended meetings in Beijing, and briefly served as acting commander in chief of the Nationalist forces when Chiang Kai-shek left Beijing for [[Nanjing]]. He was appointed to the State Council on 8 October and resigned as Governor of Guangdong in November.<ref name="Boorman"/>
Li did not have significant political power until 1933, when he joined with [[Chen Mingshu]] to launch a revolt in [[Fujian]]. Li was made chairman of the people's revolutionary government at [[Fuzhou]], but the revolt was quickly suppressed, and Li was forced to flee to [[Hong Kong]] in January 1934.<ref name="Boorman"/>


===Fujian People's Government===
In 1935, Li joined with associates to found the Chinese People's Revolutionary League, which advocated resistance against Japan and overthrow of the Nationalist government. In 1936, Li participated in a joint Guangdong-Guangxi revolt against the government, but after it collapsed, Li returned to Hong Kong. The order for his arrest was rescinded.<ref name="Boorman"/>
In 1929, Li traveled to Nanjing to attend the 3rd National Congress and mediate a dispute that had arisen between the Nationalist government and the [[New Guangxi clique]]. However, talks broke down in March, the members of the clique were expelled from the Kuomintang, and Li was placed in detention. He was not freed until after the Japanese attack on [[Mukden]] in 1931.<ref name="Boorman"/>


In 1933, Li joined forces with [[Chen Mingshu]] to launch a successful military revolt in [[Fujian]], and after the initial seizure of power, became Chairman of the [[Fujian People's Government]]. However, in 1934, the revolt was crushed by Chiang Kai-shek, and Li was forced to flee to [[Hong Kong]] in January 1934.<ref name="Boorman"/>
In 1938, Li was restored to membership in the Kuomintang, and again became a member of the Military Affairs Commission and the State Council. During the Sino-Japanese War, Li served in several military posts. In 1944, he was appointed president of the Military Advisory Council, but instead worked to consolidate resistance against Japan in southern Guangxi. At the Sixth National Congress of the Kuomintang in May 1945, Li was elected to the Central Supervisory Committee of the Kuomintang, and served as a delegate to the National Assembly the following year.<ref name="Boorman"/>


=== Second Sino–Japanese War ===
On 8 March 1947, Li issued a statement calling for reconciliation between the Kuomintang and the [[Chinese Communist Party]]. For this, he was again expelled from the Kuomintang for making unwarranted statements and inciting the people to riot. Li began working to unite current and former Kuomintang members who opposed National government policies. This led to the formation of the [[Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang]] in 1948, with Li as its first chairman.<ref name="Boorman"/>
In 1935, Li joined with associates to found the Chinese People's Revolutionary League, which advocated resistance against Japan and overthrow of the Nationalist government. In 1936, Li participated in a joint [[Guangdong]]-[[Guangxi]] revolt against the government, but after it collapsed, Li returned to Hong Kong. The order for his arrest was rescinded by Chiang.<ref name="Boorman"/>


In 1938, in the name of unity against the Japanese threat, Li was restored to membership in the Kuomintang, and again became a member of the [[Military Affairs Commission]] and the State Council. During the Sino-Japanese War, Li served in several military posts. In 1944, he was appointed president of the Military Advisory Council, and worked to consolidate resistance against Japan in southern Guangxi. At the 6th National Congress of the Kuomintang in May 1945, Li was elected to the Central Supervisory Committee of the Kuomintang, and served as a delegate to the National Assembly the following year.<ref name="Boorman"/>
===People's Republic of China===


=== Expulsion from Kuomintang and Revolutionary Committee ===
Li left Hong Kong in early 1949 and traveled north to Beiping, where he assisted in the preparatory work for the founding of the [[People's Republic of China]]. After the inauguration of the new government, Li became one of its six vice-chairmen, as well as Vice-President of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association. In January 1953, Li became a member of the committee assigned to draft the first constitution of the People's Republic. He served as a delegate to the [[National People's Congress]] (NPC) in 1954. The new constitution reduced the number of vice-chairmen from six to two, so Li gave up his post and became a vice [[Vice Chairperson of the National People's Congress|Vice Chair]] of the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|NPC Standing Committee]]. Li continued to hold posts in the government until his death on 9 October 1959 in Beijing due to [[stomach cancer]] and a [[cerebral thrombosis]].<ref name="Boorman"/>
On 8 March 1947, Li issued a statement calling for reconciliation between the Kuomintang and the [[Chinese Communist Party]]. For this, Li was again expelled from the Kuomintang on Chiang's orders, for "making unwarranted statements and inciting the people to riot". Li began working to unite current and former Kuomintang members who opposed Chiang Kai-shek. This led to the formation of the [[Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang]] in 1948, with Li as its first chairman.<ref name="Boorman" />

==People's Republic of China==
Li left Hong Kong in early 1949 and traveled north to [[Beijing]], invited by [[Mao Zedong]], and assisted in the preparatory work for the founding of the new [[People's Republic of China]]. After [[Proclamation of the People's Republic of China|the inauguration]] of the new Communist government, Li went on to hold important posts, serving as [[Vice President of the People's Republic of China|Vice Chairman of the People's Republic]] from 1949 to 1954, [[Vice Chairperson of the National People's Congress|Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress]] (1954–1959), and [[Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference|Vice Chairman the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]] (1949–1959). He was also Vice President of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association.<ref name="cihai"/>

In addition to these positions, in January 1953 Li was named to the committee responsible for drafting the first [[Constitution]] of the People's Republic of China.

Li Jishen died on 9 October 1959 in Beijing due to [[stomach cancer]] and a [[cerebral thrombosis]], at the age of 73.<ref name="cihai"/><ref name="Boorman"/>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Li married several times and had many children. One of his sons became dean of the agricultural college of [[Lingnan University (Guangzhou)|Lingnan University]] during the 1940s. Another son, [[Li Peiyao]], became Chairman of the National Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang in the 1990s. Three of his daughters were students at [[Yenching University]] in 1950.<ref name="Boorman"/>
Li married several times, had many mistresses, and fathered many children. One of his sons became Dean of the Agricultural College of [[Lingnan University (Guangzhou)|Lingnan University]] during the 1940s. His second son, Li Pui Kum, went to New York and graduated from Columbia University. Another son, [[Li Peiyao]], became Chairman of the National Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang in the 1990s. Three of his daughters were students at [[Yenching University]] in 1950.<ref name="Boorman"/>


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist
{{commons category|Li Jishen}}
{{Reflist|refs=
|refs =
<ref name="Boorman">{{cite book|editor-last1=Boorman|editor-first1=Howard L.|editor-first2=Richard C. |editor-last2=Howard|title=Biographical Dictionary of Republican China|publisher=Columbia University Press|location=New York|year=1967|volume=2: Dalai-Ma|pages=292–295|isbn=978-0-231-08955-5}}</ref>
<ref name="Boorman">{{cite book |editor1-last = Boorman |editor1-first = Howard L. |editor2-first = Richard C. |editor2-last = Howard |title = Biographical Dictionary of Republican China |publisher=Columbia University Press |location = New York, NY |year=1967 |volume = 2: Dalai-Ma |pages = 292–295 |isbn = 978-0-231-08955-5 }}</ref>
}}
}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Li Jishen}}

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{{Vice Presidents of the People's Republic of China}}
{{Vice Presidents of the People's Republic of China}}
{{NPCSC Vice-Chairpersons}}
{{NPCSC Vice-Chairpersons}}
{{CPPCC Vice-Chairpersons}}
{{CPPCC Vice-Chairpersons}}

{{authority control}}
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[[Category:Members of the National People's Congress]]
[[Category:Members of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang]]
[[Category:Vice Presidents of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:Vice Chairpersons of the National People's Congress]]
[[Category:Vice Chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]]
[[Category:Vice presidents of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:National Defense University (Republic of China) alumni]]
[[Category:People from Wuzhou]]
[[Category:People from Wuzhou]]
[[Category:People's Republic of China politicians from Guangxi]]
[[Category:People's Republic of China politicians from Guangxi]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in China]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:Deaths from stomach cancer]]
[[Category:Deaths from stomach cancer]]
[[Category:Deaths from thrombosis]]
[[Category:Deaths from cerebral thrombosis]]
[[Category:Politicians of the China Zhi Gong Party]]
[[Category:China Zhi Gong Party politicians]]
[[Category:Disease-related deaths in the People's Republic of China]]

Latest revision as of 19:56, 10 November 2023

Not to be confused with Li Jisheng.
In this Chinese name, the family name is Li.
Li Jishen
李济深
Vice Chairman of the Central People's Government
In office
1 October 1949 – 27 September 1954
LeaderMao Zedong
Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
In office
October 1949 – 9 October 1959
ChairmanMao Zedong
Zhou Enlai
Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress
In office
27 September 1954 – 9 October 1959
ChairmanLiu Shaoqi
Zhu De
Chairman of Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang
In office
1 January 1948 – 9 October 1959
Succeeded byHe Xiangning
Chairman of China Zhi Gong Party
In office
May 1947 – April 1950
Preceded byChen Jiongming
Succeeded byChen Qiyou
Personal details
Born5 November 1885
Cangwu, Guangxi
Died9 October 1959(1959-10-09) (aged 73)
Beijing
NationalityPeople's Republic of China
Political partyRevolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang
Other political
affiliations		Chinese Kuomintang
China Zhi Gong Party
ChildrenLi Peiyao (son)
Li Jishen
Traditional Chinese李濟深
Simplified Chinese李济深

Li Jishen or Li Chi-shen (5 November 1885 – 9 October 1959) was a Chinese military officer and politician, general of the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China, Vice President of the People's Republic of China (1949–1954), Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress (1954–1959), Vice Chairman the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (1949–1959) and founder and first Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang (1948–1959).[1]

Initially a supporter of Chiang Kai-shek and Kuomintang, Li Jishen helped purge and murder Communists in the 1927 Shanghai massacre, but eventually became one of Chiang's top internal rivals. Li accused Chiang of weakness in the face of Japanese aggression and of submission to Western financial interests. The two eventually reached an understanding, and Li went on to hold military commands during the Second Sino–Japanese War. However, after the end of the war, new disagreements with Chiang led to Li's expulsion from the Kuomintang. After this, for a time, he became leader of the splinter Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang (RCCK), then switched sides and joined the Communists, collaborating with Mao Zedong and holding political office in the new People's Republic of China.

Li married several times and fathered many children. One of his sons, Li Peiyao, also served as Chairman of the RCCK.

Early life[edit]

Li was born in Cangwu County, Wuzhou, Guangxi, in 1886.[1] His family owned land, and some of his ancestors were Confucian scholars. His mother died when he was four years old. Li enrolled at Wuzhou Middle School, where he studied under the right wing Kuomintang leader Hu Hanmin. In 1904 he entered the Liangguang Accelerated Army Academy of the Qing Imperial Army in Guangdong. After graduation three years later, he was selected for advanced study at the Beiyang Army Officers Academy in Beijing (which later became the Baoding Military Academy). He interrupted his studies after the Wuchang revolt of October 1911 to serve as chief of staff of the 22nd Division of the revolutionary army in Jiangsu. After the establishment of the Republic of China, Li completed his education and remained at the Beijing academy, now called the Military Staff College, this time as an instructor.[2]

Military career and Kuomintang[edit]

Li returned to Guangdong in 1921 at the invitation of Guangdong Army chief of staff Deng Keng (邓铿). Deng was assassinated in March 1922, and Chen Jiongming staged a coup in June of that year, which Li helped to put down. For this, he received command of the army's 1st Division.[2]

Li Jishen in uniform.
Li Jishen as pictured in The Most Recent Biographies of Chinese Dignitaries.
Li Jishen (left) standing next to Soong Ching-ling in the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
Opening ceremony of the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in September 1949. Left to right: Shen Junru, Li Jishen, Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Guo Moruo.

In 1924, after serving briefly as commissioner of reconstruction of the West River-Wuzhou area and as Wuzhou garrison commander, Li became Deputy Dean of the newly established Whampoa Military Academy under Chiang Kai-shek. After Sun Yat-sen's death in March 1925, the Guangdong government was reorganized as the National Government, and Li was appointed commander of the 4th Army, which had formerly been the Guangdong Army. He spent the next year destroying Chen Jiongming's remaining power.[2]

When the Northern Expedition began in July 1926, Li's 4th Army joined the push northward. During this time, Li also served as Governor of Guangdong, military affairs commissioner, and acting president of the Whampoa Military Academy. In 1927, he was elected to the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang and helped Chiang in the purge and massacre of Communists.

In November 1927, Li left Guangdong with Wang Jingwei to attend a plenary session of the Committee in Shanghai on the subject of restoring party unity. In his absence, Zhang Fakui staged a coup. However, officers loyal to Li successfully put down the coup, forcing Zhang to surrender, and Li returned to Guangdong on 4 January 1928.[2]

On 7 February 1928, Li was made a member of the standing committee of the Military Affairs Commission. He was also made commander in chief of the newly established Eighth Route Army. On 1 March, Li became chairman of the Guangdong branch of the Political Council of the Kuomintang, and on 30 March he was made chief of the general staff of the Northern Expedition. During the remainder of the year, Li attended meetings in Beijing, and briefly served as acting commander in chief of the Nationalist forces when Chiang Kai-shek left Beijing for Nanjing. He was appointed to the State Council on 8 October and resigned as Governor of Guangdong in November.[2]

Fujian People's Government[edit]

In 1929, Li traveled to Nanjing to attend the 3rd National Congress and mediate a dispute that had arisen between the Nationalist government and the New Guangxi clique. However, talks broke down in March, the members of the clique were expelled from the Kuomintang, and Li was placed in detention. He was not freed until after the Japanese attack on Mukden in 1931.[2]

In 1933, Li joined forces with Chen Mingshu to launch a successful military revolt in Fujian, and after the initial seizure of power, became Chairman of the Fujian People's Government. However, in 1934, the revolt was crushed by Chiang Kai-shek, and Li was forced to flee to Hong Kong in January 1934.[2]

Second Sino–Japanese War[edit]

In 1935, Li joined with associates to found the Chinese People's Revolutionary League, which advocated resistance against Japan and overthrow of the Nationalist government. In 1936, Li participated in a joint Guangdong-Guangxi revolt against the government, but after it collapsed, Li returned to Hong Kong. The order for his arrest was rescinded by Chiang.[2]

In 1938, in the name of unity against the Japanese threat, Li was restored to membership in the Kuomintang, and again became a member of the Military Affairs Commission and the State Council. During the Sino-Japanese War, Li served in several military posts. In 1944, he was appointed president of the Military Advisory Council, and worked to consolidate resistance against Japan in southern Guangxi. At the 6th National Congress of the Kuomintang in May 1945, Li was elected to the Central Supervisory Committee of the Kuomintang, and served as a delegate to the National Assembly the following year.[2]

Expulsion from Kuomintang and Revolutionary Committee[edit]

On 8 March 1947, Li issued a statement calling for reconciliation between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party. For this, Li was again expelled from the Kuomintang on Chiang's orders, for "making unwarranted statements and inciting the people to riot". Li began working to unite current and former Kuomintang members who opposed Chiang Kai-shek. This led to the formation of the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang in 1948, with Li as its first chairman.[2]

People's Republic of China[edit]

Li left Hong Kong in early 1949 and traveled north to Beijing, invited by Mao Zedong, and assisted in the preparatory work for the founding of the new People's Republic of China. After the inauguration of the new Communist government, Li went on to hold important posts, serving as Vice Chairman of the People's Republic from 1949 to 1954, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress (1954–1959), and Vice Chairman the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (1949–1959). He was also Vice President of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association.[1]

In addition to these positions, in January 1953 Li was named to the committee responsible for drafting the first Constitution of the People's Republic of China.

Li Jishen died on 9 October 1959 in Beijing due to stomach cancer and a cerebral thrombosis, at the age of 73.[1][2]

Personal life[edit]

Li married several times, had many mistresses, and fathered many children. One of his sons became Dean of the Agricultural College of Lingnan University during the 1940s. His second son, Li Pui Kum, went to New York and graduated from Columbia University. Another son, Li Peiyao, became Chairman of the National Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang in the 1990s. Three of his daughters were students at Yenching University in 1950.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Cihai Editorial Committee (eds). "Cihai" (1989 edition), p. 3319 Shanghai Lexicographic Publishing House. 1989.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Boorman, Howard L.; Howard, Richard C., eds. (1967). Biographical Dictionary of Republican China. Vol. 2: Dalai-Ma. New York, NY: Columbia University Press. pp. 292–295. ISBN 978-0-231-08955-5.

External links[edit]

  • Media related to Li Jishen at Wikimedia Commons
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