Liu Shaoqi

Liu Shaoqi (born November 24, 1898, in Ningxiang, Hunan – died November 12, 1969, in Kaifeng, Henan) served as Chairman of the People’s Republic of China from 1959 to 1968. He was the leading theorist of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Many saw Liu as Mao Zedong’s likely successor before his purge in the late 1960s. He actively participated in China’s early labour movement and shaped both party ideology and government policy. After the communists took power, Liu became influential in managing China’s foreign relations.

Early Life and Career

Born into a wealthy peasant family, Liu received a broad education, including military and language training. He joined the Socialist Youth League in 1920 and went to Moscow to study at the University for Toilers of the East. There, he became a member of the newly formed CCP. Returning to China in 1922, Liu helped organize the First National Labour Congress and worked with Mao Zedong. He led key strikes and held major roles like vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Labour.

After the 1927 CCP–Nationalist split, Liu went underground as Nationalist forces crushed urban communists. He rose quickly in the CCP, taking on leadership roles in labour and regional committees. He stayed in Shanghai and organized resistance to Japanese aggression. In 1932, Liu joined Mao’s forces in Jiangxi and became head of the All-China Federation of Labour. By 1934, he had entered the Politburo. In Yan’an, he delivered important lectures like “How to Be a Good Communist” and “On Intraparty Struggle.” These talks established him as the CCP’s chief theoretician. By 1943, Liu held top party and military posts. After World War II, he served as Mao’s deputy and became vice-chairman of the People’s Republic in 1949.

Soviet Leadership

After 1949, Liu used his Soviet connections and global experience to shape China’s foreign policy and industrial goals. He led the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association from 1949 to 1954 and attended the Soviet 19th Party Congress in 1952. In 1954, Liu became chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. He led purges of regional leaders to strengthen party control. By 1956, Mao had positioned Liu as his successor. Liu helped launch the Great Leap Forward in 1958. When the plan faltered, he introduced moderate reforms in agriculture. He allowed private plots and offered monetary rewards, which Mao strongly opposed. Liu became head of state in 1959 and played a key role in foreign diplomacy from 1959 to 1966. In 1968, the party purged him and labeled him “China’s Khrushchev.” He died in Kaifeng on November 12, 1969. The government confirmed his death publicly in 1980.