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Chen Yi (marshal)

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Chen Yi was a very important leader in China. He served as both a military commander and a politician.

Chen Yi in CFAU campus
Chen Yi in CFAU campus

He was born on August 26, 1901, in Lezhi County. His family lived near Chengdu in the Sichuan region. They were a moderately wealthy family of Hakka descent. Chen Yi became one of the Ten Marshals of the People's Republic of China. This is a very high rank in the military.

During the war years, Chen Yi led many soldiers. He worked very closely with his friend, Su Yu. They led the 3rd Field Army together during the Chinese Civil War. Su Yu was an expert at planning large battles. Chen Yi focused on political work and gathering support. This helped them win the Huaihai Campaign. They also conquered the lower Yangtze region between 1948 and 1949.

After the wars, Chen Yi took on new jobs. He became the Mayor of Shanghai in 1949. He stayed there until 1958 to help the city. He worked to fix the economy and rebuild the area.

Jacob Rosenfeld
Jacob Rosenfeld

In 1954, he also became a vice premier. Later, he served as the Foreign Minister from 1958 to 1972. This job meant he spoke for China to other nations.

Chen Yi dealt with many hard political moments. He tried to keep a good friendship with the Soviet Union. In 1960, he spoke to the Soviet Ambassador to help stop tensions. He also led a group for foreign affairs in 1958. During the Cultural Revolution, he spoke out against social disorder. This was part of the February Countercurrent. Because of this, he had to take a leave of absence. Zhou Enlai did his foreign minister duties during that time.

Chen Yi had a very distinct personal style. He often wore white shirts and sunglasses.

Order of Liberation 1st Class
Order of Liberation 1st Class

He also loved a game called weiqi. He helped make weiqi a professional game in China. Chen Yi died in Beijing on January 6, 1972. He was 70 years old at the time. Mao Zedong attended his funeral. This was the first time Mao attended a funeral during the Cultural Revolution.

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File:Order of Bayi 1st Class.svg
Order of Bayi 1st Class.svg
File:Order of Independence and Freedom 1st Class.svg
Order of Independence and Freedom 1st Class.svg
File:Order of Liberation 1st Class.svg
Order of Liberation 1st Class.svg
File:Jacob Rosenfeld.jpg
Jacob Rosenfeld.jpg
File:Chen_Yi_in_CFAU_campus.jpg
Chen_Yi_in_CFAU_campus.jpg
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