Geng Biao

Geng Biao (Chinese: 耿飚; Pinyin: Gěng Biāo; August 26, 1909-June 23, 2000) was a senior leader in Communist Party of China, and a leader in politics, foreign relation and military in China.

Geng was born in Liling, Hunan Province of China, and was a child worker in a Lead-Zinc mine in Shuikoushan, south of Hengyang City in 1922. He joined Communist Youth League of China in Shuikoushan in 1925. In 1926, he led a miners' military campaign and failed. He then went to Liuyang and organized and led a militia in 1928. In August of the same year, he joined CPC.

In September 1930, his army was recruited to the Red Three Army of Red First Army Group of Chinese Red Army, and he became the staff of 9th division of Red Three Army. In 1933, he became the head of the 4th regiment of 2nd division of Red 1st Army Group. On 10 October 1934, he embarked on the Long March as the pioneer of 2nd division.

In the beginning of 1935, his army attacked and seized a critical military fortress, Loushanguan in Guizhou Province. As a result, he was promoted to the chief of staff of the 1st division of Red 1st Army Group after Zunyi Conference. After arrival at North Shaanxi, he was severely injured in a battle. In 1936, he graduated from the University of Anti-Japan Military of Politics, and was appointed as the chief of staff of the newly arrived Red Fourth Army of Red Fourth Army Group, and successfully took control of it, which had been led by Wang Ming.

After outbreak of Second Sino-Japanese War, he became the chief of staff, deputy head and deputy political commissar in 385 brigade, 129 division of Eighth Route Army. His army occupied East Gansu Province, responsible for the safety of west border of Shaan-Gan-Ning Region. He entered the school of the CPC's central committee. After graduation, he wen to Jin-Cha-Ji Region and became a military leader there. He led his army to seize Zhangjiakou in 1945.

In 1946, Geng accompanied Ye Jianying to participate in Beiping Military Conciliatory Commission, and was the vice chief of staff of CPC's delegates. After the conciliation failed, he went back to Jin-Cha-Ji Region and became the chief of staff of the Field Army in the military region. In 1948, he was appointed as the vice commander of the second army group in North China Military Region. He fought in Ping-Jin campaign, and seized Taiyuan city.

After the formation of People's Republic of China, Geng was appointed as the ambassador to Sweden, and minister to Denmark and Finland on 9 May 1950. He was also the ambassador to Pakistan, Myanmar and Albania. He returned to China in 1971, and became the head of CPC's central foreign communication department, in charge of CPC's relations with foreign parties.

On 6 October 1976, he was ordered to take control of the broadcast and TV stations in Beijing, in order to quell the Four Gang. Since then, he was in charge of the propaganda of CPC. In 1978, he was appointed as vice-premier of the State Council, in charge of foreign relations, military industry, civil airlines and tourism. In January 1979, he became the secretary-general and member of Standing Committee of CPC's Central Military Commission.

In 1981, he became the minister of national defense, and became state councilor next year. In 1983, he became vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and chairmen of foreign relation committee in PNC. He was also a member of Standing Committee of CPC's senior consultative committee. He was awarded First-Class Red Star Medal.

He died on 23 June 2000 in Beijing.