Chen Yi (26 August 1901 – 6 January 1972) was Foreign Minister of China from 1958 to 1972, succeeding Zhou Enlai and preceding Ji Pengfei. He was one of the few Chinese marshals who survived the Cultural Revolution as a hero, and Mao Zedong's attendance of Chen's funeral was his last public appearance.
Biography[]
Chen Yi was born on 26 August 1901 in Chengdu, Sichuan, the son of a magistrate of moderate wealth. Chen Yi was a comrade of Lin Biao during the Communist Party of China's guerrilla campaign, and he became the commander of the New Fourth Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. During the Chinese Civil War, he spearheaded the Shandong offensive, and he took part in the lower Yangtze fighting from 1948 to 1949, including the great victory against Du Yuming in the Battle of Xuzhou. In 1955, he was promoted to Marshal in the People's Liberation Army, and he served as Foreign Minister from 1958 to 1972. In 1967, he was criticized for his friendship with Lin Biao after Lin fell out of grace with Mao Zedong during the Cultural Revolution, and Zhou Enlai was the acting Foreign Minister from 1967 to 1972. After Lin Biao's 1971 death, Chen was restored to favor, but he died just a year later, and Mao Zedong made his last public appearance at Chen's funeral.