Li Xiannian was a Chinese Communist military and political leader, president of the People's Republic of China from 1983 to 1988 under paramount leader Deng Xiaoping and then chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from 1988 until his death.
11 Facts About Li Xiannian
2.
Li Xiannian was a full member of the Politburo from 1956 to 1987, and of its Standing Committee from 1977 to 1987.
3.
Li Xiannian joined the Communist Party in December 1927 and became a soldier in the Chinese Red Army.
4.
Li Xiannian supported Mao Zedong's designated successor, Hua Guofeng, and was named Vice Chairman of the Party.
5.
Li Xiannian enthusiastically advocated for the military suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests.
6.
Li Xiannian joined the Chinese Communist Party in December 1927, and served as an army captain and political commissar for the Chinese Red Army during the Long March.
7.
Li Xiannian had in fact been largely responsible for drafting the short-lived Ten Year Plan of 1978 which attempted to build a Soviet-style economy based around heavy industry and energy production.
8.
Li Xiannian went about assigning government posts to younger men who were followers of his ideas.
9.
Li Xiannian was a strong supporter of Jiang Zemin's rise to power, and during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, Li was one of the hardline Party elders who pushed for a strong response to the demonstrations and supported Premier Li Peng's desire to use military force to suppress the protests.
10.
Li Xiannian is a member of the CPPCC national committee.
11.
Li Xiannian's funeral was held on 27 June 1992 and was attended by members of the Politburo Standing Committee.