Dong Biwu was a Chinese communist revolutionary and politician, who served as acting Chairman of the People's Republic of China between 1972 and 1975.
11 Facts About Dong Biwu
2.
Dong Biwu was born in Huanggang, Hubei, to a landlord family, and received a classical education.
3.
Dong Biwu then went to Japan in 1913 to study law at Nihon University.
4.
Incidentally, Dong was the only other person than Mao Zedong to be present at both the founding congress of the party and the proclamation ceremony of the People's Republic of China twenty-eight years later.
5.
Towards the end of the Civil War in 1948, following decisive victories in the north, Dong Biwu was appointed Chairman of the North China People's Government.
6.
On his return, Dong Biwu was presented with the shortcomings revealed by the scrutiny, for which he accepted responsibility at a special judicial conference.
7.
In early 1959, Dong Biwu was named Vice President of China in a joint appointment with Soong Ching-ling, a post he held until his death.
8.
Later the same year, Dong Biwu defended Peng Dehuai from criticism at the Lushan Conference, yet still managed to stay in favor with Mao, unlike others who stood up for the reproached general.
9.
Dong Biwu was, in turn, elected Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's National Congress.
10.
Dong Biwu died in Beijing on 2 April 1975, at the age of 89.
11.
In 1991, a statue of Dong Biwu was erected in one of Wuhan's central squares, Hongshan Guangchang.