Chinese Communism:
Who’s Who

Index to the biographies and writings of members of the Chinese Communist Party and their supporters in other countries and other material about the Chinese Revolution.

Chinese Communists

The Chinese Communist Party was founded in July 1921 by Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao. The Party suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Guomindang in 1926-27 and a new party was built by Mao Zedong, and Zhou Enlai. The new CCP consolidated its leadership and cadre during the Long March, 1934-37, and after the defeat of the Japanese was able to drive out the Guomintang and in 1949, declared the People's Republic of China.

The First Chinese Communists

Li Dazhao (Li Ta-chao)

(1888-1927) Co-founder of Chinese Communist Party. Among the first of the Chinese intellectuals who supported the Bolshevik government in the USSR. One of the earliest and most prominent influences on Mao Zedong.
(Full biography)

Chen Duxiu (Chen Tu-hsiu)

(1879-1942) Co-founder of Chinese Communist Party. Joined the International Left Opposition after leaving the CCP in 1927. Considered the founder of Chinese Trotskyism.
(Full biography)

Maoists

Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung)

(1893-1976) First Chairman of the People's Republic of China. Served as CCP Chairman until his death. (Full biography) Archive

Zhou Enlai (Chou En-lai)

(1898-1976) Founded European branch of CCP, veteran of wars against Kuomintang and Japanese forces. Premier of People's Republic of China from from its founding in 1949 until his death. (Full biography) Archive

Lin Biao (Lin Piao)

(1907-1971) Veteran of wars against Kuomintang and Japanese forces. Served in Politburo, as Vice-Chairman and as Defense Minister. (Full biography) Archive

Liu Shaoqi (Liu Shao-chi)

(1898-1969) Veteran of wars against Kuomintang and Japanese forces. Former Chairman of People's Republic of China and slated to succeed Mao until Liu's purge in 1968. Posthumously rehabilitated after Mao's passing. (Full biography) Archive

Peng Zhen (Peng Chen)

(1902-1997) Veteran of the China's 1949 revolution. Politburo member and mayor of Beijing. Purged but rehabilitated after Mao's passing. Held many leading positions throughout the course of his life. (Full biography) Archive

Gang of Four

(1966-1976) Led by Mao Zedong's fourth wife, Jiang Qing (1913-1991), the "Gang of Four" was a powerful political influence on Chinese Communism during final years of Mao's life. Jiang's political clout coalesced during the early phase of the (Great Proletarian) Cultural Revolution and she later aligned with Shanghai propaganda official Zhang Chunqiao (1913-1991), literary critic Yao Wenyuan (1931- ), and security guard Wang Hongwen (1935-1992). (Full biography)

Chinese Communism After Mao Hua Gofeng

Hua Guofeng (Hua Ko-feng)

(1920 - ) Succeeded Zhou Enlai as Premier after Zhou's death in 1976. Succeeded Mao Zedong as the de facto leader of China after winning a power struggle with the so-called "Gang of Four". (Full biography) Archive

Deng Xiaoping (Teng Hsiao-ping)

(1904-1997) Veteran of wars against Kuomintang and Japanese forces. Played a prominent role in the Long March of 1949. Purged from CCP and rehabilitated twice. Served as leader of China after Mao's passing. (Full biography) Archive

Supporters of Mao and Chinese Communism