Cheng Qian
Encyclopedia
Cheng Chien (1882–1968) was a Chinese general.
in Changsha. Here he began to understand the current political situation and decided to give up imperial exams. In 1903, as he was 21, he was admitted first to the Hunan Military Academy. Shortly after, in 1904, he went to study in Japan
, where he met Huang Xing
and Song Jiaoren
, future nationalist leaders, who fascinated him with their ideas; thus in 1905 Cheng joined Sun Yat-sen
's Tongmenghui
(Chinese United League), committed to overthrow the Qing Dynasty
and modernize China
.
After graduation in 1908, Cheng returned in China, where he was put in charge of training a New Army
in Sichuan
. After the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution
, Cheng took part at the Wuchang Uprising
; immediately after he participated to the Battle of Changsha
.
With the establishment of the Republic of China
, Cheng was appointed military commander of Hunan
. However, as Yuan Shikai
staged his coup to control the Republic, Cheng tried to revolt, but the failure prompted him to flee to Japan, where he entered the Guomindang and the Waseda University
.
Shortly after, Yuan Shikai tried to proclaim himself Emperor
, causing the National Protection War
: Cheng returned to Hunan to enlist rebel soldiers in Cai E
's army. During the Constitutional Protection Movement he was first appointed military commander of Changsha, then Vice Minister of War in Sun Yat-sen's Guangzhou
Government. He was put in charge of training troops in Guangzhou, and then took part at the Northern Expedition. From 1925 to 1927 he was the General commanding 6th Army, and briefly served as Chairman of the Government of the Hunan Province in 1928. In 1926 he was elected a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Guomindang.
began, Cheng Qian was made Commander in Chief of the 1st War Area in July 1937, and concurrently Chairman of the Government of Henan Province from 1937 to 1939. Cheng Qian was recalled from 1st War area in 1938 to serve as director of the Generalissimo's
Headquarters from until 1940. From 1940 to 1944 he was Deputy Chief of Staff of the National Military Council, and from 1944 to 1945 he was acting Chief of Staff of the National Military Council. He was also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission.
After the war ended, Cheng sided with the conciliatory faction in the Guomindang. In 1947 he was elected in the Legislative Yuan
(in the first election after 14 years) and contested the vice-presidency of the Republic of China
in March 1948, barely losing it to Li Zongren
, supported by Chiang Kai-shek
. Aftewards, he was appointed governor of Hunan once again.
forces gained soil, Chiang Kai-shek step down in January 1949; after the collapse of peace talks in April, communists crossed Yangtze River
. Cheng Qian in early August decided to surrender, and so Changsha was peacefully taken by the People's Liberation Army
.
Although the Guomindang government issued an arrest warrant for Cheng, he was able to reach Beijing
to attend the First Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
. The Central People's Government
that ruled the People's Republic of China
until 1954 appointed him vice-chairman of the People's Revolutionary Military Council and vice-chairman of the Central-South Military and Government Administration Council, working to prevent river floods. He was also a vice-chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang
.
In the following years, he was elected non-communist governor of Hunan in 1952, and a vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress
from 1954 till his death.
During the Cultural Revolution
, Cheng Qian was among the non-communists Mao Zedong
and Zhou Enlai
prevented from being attacked. Anyway he lost his leadership position in Hunan after a revolutionary committee
under Li Yuan's chairmanship was formed here. He died in Beijing
on April 15, 1968 aged 86.
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Revolutionary
After having studied at a private school and having passed examination in 1889, Cheng joined the Yuelu AcademyYuelu Academy
The Yuelu Academy is located on the east side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, China, on the west bank of the Xiang River....
in Changsha. Here he began to understand the current political situation and decided to give up imperial exams. In 1903, as he was 21, he was admitted first to the Hunan Military Academy. Shortly after, in 1904, he went to study in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, where he met Huang Xing
Huang Xing
Huang Xing or Huang Hsing , was a Chinese revolutionary leader, militarist, and statesman, was the first army commander-in-chief of the Republic of China. As one of the founders of the Kuomintang and the Republic of China, his position was next to Sun Yat-sen. Together they were known as...
and Song Jiaoren
Song Jiaoren
Song Jiaoren was a Chinese republican revolutionary, political leader and a founder of the Kuomintang . He was assassinated in 1913 after leading his Kuomintang party to victory in China's first democratic elections...
, future nationalist leaders, who fascinated him with their ideas; thus in 1905 Cheng joined Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
's Tongmenghui
Tongmenghui
The Tongmenghui, also known as the Chinese United League, United League, Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, Chinese Alliance and United Allegiance Society, was a secret society and underground resistance movement formed when merging many Chinese revolutionary groups together by Sun Yat-sen, Song...
(Chinese United League), committed to overthrow the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
and modernize China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
After graduation in 1908, Cheng returned in China, where he was put in charge of training a New Army
New Army
The New Armies were the modernized Qing armies, trained and equipped according to Western standards...
in Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
. After the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution
Xinhai Revolution
The Xinhai Revolution or Hsinhai Revolution, also known as Revolution of 1911 or the Chinese Revolution, was a revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing , and established the Republic of China...
, Cheng took part at the Wuchang Uprising
Wuchang Uprising
The Wuchang Uprising began with the dissatisfaction of the handling of a railway crisis. The crisis then escalated to an uprising where the revolutionaries went up against Qing government officials. The uprising was then assisted by the New Army in a coup against their own authorities in the city...
; immediately after he participated to the Battle of Changsha
Battle of Changsha
The term Battle of Changsha can refer to at least seven separate events.* Battle of Changsha — Three Kingdoms* Battle of Changsha — Xinhai Revolution*Battle of Changsha — gunboat diplomacy...
.
With the establishment of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, Cheng was appointed military commander of Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
. However, as Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai was an important Chinese general and politician famous for his influence during the late Qing Dynasty, his role in the events leading up to the abdication of the last Qing Emperor of China, his autocratic rule as the second President of the Republic of China , and his short-lived...
staged his coup to control the Republic, Cheng tried to revolt, but the failure prompted him to flee to Japan, where he entered the Guomindang and the Waseda University
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
.
Shortly after, Yuan Shikai tried to proclaim himself Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
, causing the National Protection War
National Protection War
The National Protection War , also known as the anti-Monarchy War, was a civil war that took place in China between 1915 and 1916. The cause of this war was Yuan Shikai's proclamation of himself as Emperor. Only three years earlier, the last Chinese dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, had been overthrown...
: Cheng returned to Hunan to enlist rebel soldiers in Cai E
Cai E
Cai E or Tsai Ao was a Chinese revolutionary leader and warlord. He was born Cai Genyin in Shaoyang, Hunan, and his courtesy name was Songpo...
's army. During the Constitutional Protection Movement he was first appointed military commander of Changsha, then Vice Minister of War in Sun Yat-sen's Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
Government. He was put in charge of training troops in Guangzhou, and then took part at the Northern Expedition. From 1925 to 1927 he was the General commanding 6th Army, and briefly served as Chairman of the Government of the Hunan Province in 1928. In 1926 he was elected a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Guomindang.
Serving under Chiang Kai-shek
In the following years, Cheng served in several capacities, including chief of General Staff from 1935 to 1937. When the Second Sino-Japanese WarSecond Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
began, Cheng Qian was made Commander in Chief of the 1st War Area in July 1937, and concurrently Chairman of the Government of Henan Province from 1937 to 1939. Cheng Qian was recalled from 1st War area in 1938 to serve as director of the Generalissimo's
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin....
Headquarters from until 1940. From 1940 to 1944 he was Deputy Chief of Staff of the National Military Council, and from 1944 to 1945 he was acting Chief of Staff of the National Military Council. He was also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission.
After the war ended, Cheng sided with the conciliatory faction in the Guomindang. In 1947 he was elected in the Legislative Yuan
Legislative Yuan
The Legislative Yuan is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of China .The Legislative Yuan is one of the five branches of government stipulated by the Constitution of the Republic of China, which follows Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People...
(in the first election after 14 years) and contested the vice-presidency of the Republic of China
Vice President of the Republic of China
The Vice President of the Republic of China is the second-highest executive official of the Republic of China . The existing office was created in 1948 under the 1947 Constitution of the Republic of China...
in March 1948, barely losing it to Li Zongren
Li Zongren
Li Zongren or Li Tsung-jen , courtesy name Delin , was a prominent Guangxi warlord and Kuomintang military commander during the Northern Expedition, Second Sino-Japanese War and Chinese Civil War...
, supported by Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin....
. Aftewards, he was appointed governor of Hunan once again.
Activity in the People's Republic of China
As the Communist Party of ChinaCommunist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
forces gained soil, Chiang Kai-shek step down in January 1949; after the collapse of peace talks in April, communists crossed Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
. Cheng Qian in early August decided to surrender, and so Changsha was peacefully taken by the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
.
Although the Guomindang government issued an arrest warrant for Cheng, he was able to reach Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
to attend the First Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [], shortened as 人民政协, Rénmín Zhèngxié, i.e. "People's PCC"; or just 政协, Zhèngxié, i.e. "The PCC"), abbreviated CPPCC, is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China...
. The Central People's Government
Central People's Government
The Central People's Government is the central government of the People's Republic of China in Beijing. According to the 1982 Constitution, "Central People's Government" is synonymous with the State Council.-History:...
that ruled the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
until 1954 appointed him vice-chairman of the People's Revolutionary Military Council and vice-chairman of the Central-South Military and Government Administration Council, working to prevent river floods. He was also a vice-chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang
Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang
The Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang is one of eight registered minor political parties in the People's Republic of China....
.
In the following years, he was elected non-communist governor of Hunan in 1952, and a vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress
Standing Committee of the National People's Congress
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress is a committee of about 150 members of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China , which is convened between plenary sessions of the NPC. It has the constitutional authority to modify legislation within limits set by...
from 1954 till his death.
During the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
, Cheng Qian was among the non-communists Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
and Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976...
prevented from being attacked. Anyway he lost his leadership position in Hunan after a revolutionary committee
Revolutionary Committee (PRC)
Revolutionary committees were tripartite bodies established during China's Cultural Revolution to facilitate government by the three mass organisations in China- the people, the PLA and the Party...
under Li Yuan's chairmanship was formed here. He died in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
on April 15, 1968 aged 86.
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