14 Facts About Jian Xianfo

Jian Xianfo joined the Chinese Red Army in 1934 and married one of its generals, Xiao Ke.

Jian Xianfo was an assistant to senior party member Qiao Shi.

Jian Xianfo was born in Cili County, Hunan, in 1915.

Jian Xianfo's brother was active in the Chinese communist movement and inspired Jian's sister Jian Xianren, who was seven years her elder, in its ideology.

In 1927, Jian Xianfo Xianren was wanted by the Nationalist police and left home to join her brother in the Chinese Red Army, who was fighting in the Chinese Civil War.

Jian Xianfo's remaining family members were harassed by the Nationalists and her father arrested.

At age 16, Jian Xianfo was sent to the Women's Normal School at Changsha to escape the harassment.

Jian Xianfo joined the 2nd Route Army when guerrillas from that force came to her town in December 1934.

Jian Xianfo married General Xiao Ke, commander of the 6th Army Group.

Jian Xianfo accompanied Xiao and the army on the retreat, which began at Sangzhi.

However, both survived and Jian Xianfo named her son Baosheng, meaning "born in a fort".

Jian Xianfo joined the Ministry of the Electric Industry in 1979 serving as the Vice-Minister until March 1982.

At other points Jian Xianfo served as an assistant to senior party member Qiao Shi and as deputy director of the Central Organisation Department.

Jian Xianfo died due to a lung infection and COVID-19 on 30 December 2022, at age 107.