Chen Yi (or Ch'en I) (1901–1972)

Chinese communist military and political leader, foreign minister 1958–69. A member of the Chinese Communist Party from 1923, he emerged as a supporter of Mao Zedong in the struggle with the Kuomintang (Guomindang nationalist party), and took a leading role in the military campaign against the Japanese occupying forces. He was created marshal of the People's Republic in 1955 and served as mayor of Shanghai 1949–58.

Chen formed the 4th Route Army in Jiangxi (Kiangsi) in 1940 and commanded the East China Liberation Army in 1946, restyled the 3rd (East China) Army in 1948. He prepared an amphibious operation against Taiwan, but failed to capture Quemoy island in 1949. He was dropped from the CCP Politburo during the Cultural Revolution, in 1969, after being severely criticized by the young, ultra-leftist Red Guards.

Chen studied in France, and joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on his return. He worked in the Whampoa Military Academy and was involved in the joint military advance by CCP and Kuomintang nationalist forces in the ‘Northern Expedition’ of 1926–27.

He remained in Henan province in 1934 when the main CCP force set out on its 1934–35 ‘Long March’ from Jiangxi, in the south-centre, to Shaanxi, in northern China. He rejoined Mao in 1937.