Sheng Pihua

Sheng Pihua (; March 29, 1882 – February 8, 1961) was a Chinese businessman and political figure from Cixi, Zhejiang. He was one of the first Vice Mayors of Shanghai after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and later served as Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference as well as a national leader of the China Democratic National Construction Association.

Biography

Sheng was born into a poor shopkeeper family in Luotuo Bridge, Cixi County (now part of Zhenhai District, Ningbo). His original given name was Sheng Peihua. After receiving a traditional private education, he moved to Shanghai in his teenage years and began working as an apprentice in the silver and banking trade. By the early 20th century, he had accumulated extensive experience in finance, accounting, and commercial management, and became actively involved in banking, securities trading, and real estate businesses in Shanghai and later Wuhan.

Influenced by reformist ideas in the late Qing dynasty, Sheng participated in nationalist movements opposing foreign control of Chinese railways and commerce. After the Xinhai Revolution, he supported Sun Yat-sen’s efforts to raise revolutionary funds and played a role in the establishment and management of the Shanghai Securities and Commodities Exchange. During the 1920s and 1930s, he emerged as a prominent figure within Shanghai's business community and served in leadership roles in organizations such as the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Sheng became increasingly active in patriotic and anti-Japanese activities. He supported resistance efforts financially and helped organize venues for intellectuals and business leaders to exchange information and discuss national affairs. The restaurant he chaired became an important meeting place for progressive figures in occupied Shanghai, where discussions increasingly focused on anti-fascist struggles and China's future.

After Japan's surrender in 1945, Sheng joined the newly founded China National Democratic Construction Association and became involved in movements advocating peace and opposing civil war. In June 1946, he was among the representatives who traveled to Nanjing to petition the Nationalist government for peace, an event that culminated in the Xiaguan Incident. This experience further strengthened his alignment with the Chinese Communist Party-led united front.

In 1949, Sheng traveled to Beiping (now Beijing) to participate in preparations for the establishment of the new state. He attended the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China. In October 1951, he was elected as one of the first Vice Mayors of Shanghai, concurrently serving as Director of the Shanghai Supervision Committee.

During his tenure, Sheng played a significant role in postwar economic recovery and the socialist transformation of private industry and commerce. He also served as a deputy to the National People's Congress, a standing member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, Vice Chairman of the East China Administrative Committee, and a national vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. He remained active in public service until his death in Shanghai in 1961.

Family Sheng was a cousin of the noted translator Cao Ying, a leading figure in the translation of Russian literature in China (War and Peace, Anna Karenina, and Resurrection).