Chen Yi (marshal)

Lore & Background

Chen Yi was born in Lezhi County near Chengdu, Sichuan, into a moderately wealthy magistrate's family. His family was of Hakka descent. He was a comrade of Lin Biao from their guerrilla days and was prominent in the Jiangxi Soviet. Later, due to a leg injury, he was the only one of the later Ten Marshals to have not participated in the Long March. He was later made a commander under Ye Ting in the New Fourth Army. After the Wannan Incident, Chen succeeded Ye Ting as commander of the New Fourth Army during the Sino-Japanese War. He played a pivotal role as commander of the Third Field Army, working closely with Su Yu. The division of labour between them meant that Chen Yi remained in command of the Third Field Army, but mainly focused on rallying support for Su Yu's plans as well as focusing on political work. He and Su Yu spearheaded the Shandong counter-offensive during the Chinese Civil War, and later commanded the Communist armies that defeated the KMT forces during the Huaihai Campaign and conquered the lower Yangtze region in 1948–49. After the capture of Shanghai, he remained in the city as Director of the Shanghai Military Control Commission and then Mayor where he oversaw the stabilisation and reconstruction of the city and its economy. In 1950, he offered to take command of the People's Volunteer Army in Korea, but Mao declined and selected Peng Dehuai instead. He was promoted to Marshal in 1955. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chen continued to serve as Mayor of Shanghai. He also served as Vice Premier from 1954 to 1972 and Foreign Minister from 1958 to 1972, then President of the China Foreign Affairs University from 1961 to 1969. As Vice Premier, he was present during the breakup of Sino-Soviet relations. In August 1960, Chen Yi attempted to ease tensions with the Soviets. A CIA file dated 23 July 1951 named Chen Yi as a military advisor to North Vietnamese forces then being stationed in Inter-Region 4. In June 1958, Mao changed the Party and government structure by establishing groups in charge of finance, legal matters, foreign affairs, science, and culture and education which bypassed the State Council. Chen was made the head of the Foreign Affairs Group. In 1962, Chen called for some market-style experiments in the cultural field. In comparison to most other top leadership in China, he was more supportive of artistic aut

Reader's Guide

Chen Yi was a prominent military commander and senior diplomat in the People's Republic of China. Born into a moderately wealthy magistrate's family of Hakka descent in Sichuan, he rose to become one of the Ten Marshals. During the Red Army era, he was a comrade of Lin Biao and served in the Jiangxi Soviet. A leg injury prevented him from joining the Long March, making him the only one of the later marshals not to participate. He later commanded under Ye Ting in the New Fourth Army and succeeded Ye after the Wannan Incident. During the Chinese Civil War, he worked closely with Su Yu, focusing on political work and rallying support for Su Yu's military plans. Together, they led the Shandong counter-offensive and the Huaihai Campaign, conquering the lower Yangtze region. After capturing Shanghai, Chen served as its mayor, overseeing the city's stabilization and reconstruction. In 1950, he volunteered to command the People's Volunteer Army in Korea, but Mao declined, selecting Peng Dehuai instead. As Vice Premier and Foreign Minister, Chen was present during the Sino-Soviet split and attempted to ease tensions. He headed the Foreign Affairs Group after Mao restructured the government in 1958. Chen called for market-style experiments in culture and was more supportive of artistic autonomy than most leaders. He viewed the 1963 Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty as a US-USSR alignment against China. During the Cultural Revolution, he was a vocal critic in the February Countercurrent, leading to a required leave of absence and self-criticism, though he was not dismissed. He stated that China would support revolutions morally and politically but would not send troops across borders. After Lin Biao's death in 1971, Chen was restored to favor but died of colorectal cancer in 1972. Mao attended his funeral, his last public appearance and the only time he attended a memorial service for a leader after the founding of the PRC. Chen was also an avid weiqi player and promoted the game professionally.

Did You Know?

• Chen Yi was the only one of the Ten Marshals who did not participate in the Long March due to a leg injury.
• He was an avid weiqi player and promoted the game to a professional level in China.
• Mao Zedong attended Chen Yi's funeral in 1972, which was Mao's last public appearance and his first at a funeral during the Cultural Revolution.