11 Facts About Bai Xiangguo

Bai Xiangguo was a Chinese military officer and politician.

Bai Xiangguo visited dozens of countries in that capacity, and led the first official Chinese delegation to France in 1971 after the two countries established diplomatic relations, which was the PRC's first minister-level delegation to visit Western Europe.

Bai Xiangguo was dismissed in 1973 and returned to the military to serve as Deputy Director of the PLA General Logistics Department.

Bai Xiangguo soon transferred to the New Fourth Army and followed commander Li Xiannian to the Henan-Hubei border region to establish a CCP revolutionary base area.

Bai Xiangguo fought in many battles in the Henan-Hubei region including Yujiadian, Zhutangdian, Xinjie, Dawushan, Pingba, and Lidian.

Bai Xiangguo participated in many battles during the People's Liberation Army's takeover of Hubei and Southwest China.

Bai Xiangguo was awarded the rank of colonel in 1955.

Bai Xiangguo was instrumental in building the new Canton Fair exhibition hall to host the enlarged trade fair in autumn 1972.

In October 1973, Bai Xiangguo was replaced by Li Qiang as Minister of Foreign Trade.

Bai Xiangguo returned to the military and served as Deputy Director of the PLA General Logistics Department and Director of its Political Department.

Bai Xiangguo died on 7 August 1991 in Beijing, at the age of 73.