Zhang Zhizhong

Zhang Zhizhong (also Chang Chih-chung; 27 October 1890 – 10 April 1969) was a Chinese political and military leader who served as a general in the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China and later a pro-Communist politician in the People's Republic of China.

Originally a supporter and close associate of Chiang Kai-shek, Zhang belonged to the left wing of the Kuomintang, advocating policies such as collaboration with the Communists against Japan and nationalization of foreign-owned businesses. In 1949 he defected from the Nationalists, becoming a follower of Mao Zedong, and went on to hold high office in the new Communist government, serving as Vice Chairman of the National Defense Council (1954–1969) and Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress (1965–1969).

Life He was born in Chaohu, Anhui, and attended the Baoding Military Academy from which he graduated in 1916 as an infantry officer. After his retirement he remained in Xinjiang. The whole time he had to deal with the Ili Rebellion. 1945 in Yan'an, left to right: Zhang Zhizhong, Mao Zedong, Patrick J. Hurley, Zhou Enlai and Wang Ruofei In 1949, Zhang was made the chief negotiator of the Nationalists for peace talks with the Communists in Beijing. After the failure of the negotiations, he remained in Beijing and announced his withdrawal from the Kuomintang. After that, he was instrumental in persuading his close friend General Tao Zhiyue (then the Nationalist Governor of Xinjiang) to also defect to the Communists, an action which greatly helped in the mostly peaceful incorporation of Xinjiang into the People's Republic of China.

Mao Zedong greatly appreciated Zhang's services and appointed him to high positions in the new People's Republic. Zhang Zhizhong served as Vice Chairman of the Northwest China Military and Political Committee (1949–1954), Vice Chairman of the National Defense Council (1954–1969) and Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress (1965–1969).

During the Cultural Revolution, he managed to escape persecution due to the protection of Zhou Enlai. He died on 6 April 1969, aged 78.

Timeline of military career 1929–1937: Commandant of the Central Military Academy 1932: General Officer Commanding V Corps 1937: General Officer Commanding Nanjing and Shanghai Garrison 1937: Commander in Chief 9th Army Group 1937: Commander in Chief Central Forces and 3rd War Zone 1940: Chief Aide-de-Camp to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek 1940–1945: Director of the Political Department of the Military Affairs Commission 1940–1945: Member of the Military Affairs Commission 1940–1945: Secretary-General of the Youth Corps San Min Chu I 1945–1949: Director of Nationalist North-western Headquarters 1946–1947: Chairman of the Government of Xinjiang Province 1949–1954: Vice Chairman of the Northwest China Military and Political Committee, People's Republic of China 1954–1969: Vice Chairman of the National Defense Council, People's Republic of China