Early Life and Revolutionary Beginnings

Yang Shangkun, born in Sichuan province in 1907, entered revolutionary politics at a young age. He joined the Communist Youth League in 1925 and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1926. During this period, he actively participated in student movements in Sichuan and Shanghai. From 1927 to 1930, Yang studied at Sun Yat-sen University in Moscow, receiving formal ideological and political training.

Rise in the CCP and Role in Anti-Japanese Movement

After returning to China in 1931, Yang held key roles in the Party, including Secretary of the Party faction in the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and Head of the CCP Central Committee’s Propaganda Department. In these positions, he helped organize major labor movements and resistance efforts against Japanese aggression in Shanghai. He also took part in the historic Long March of 1934–35 and attended the pivotal Zunyi Conference as an observer.

Military and Political Leadership

In 1937, Yang was appointed Secretary of the CCP’s North China Bureau, where he led anti-Japanese resistance efforts in Communist base areas. By 1945, he had become Secretary-General of the Central Military Commission. After the Communist victory in 1949, Yang served as Deputy Secretary-General of the CCP Central Committee, continuing his influential role in party affairs.

Later Career in Guangdong Province

Beginning in 1978, Yang took on several senior posts in Guangdong province. He served as Vice-Governor, Second Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee. He later became Party Secretary and Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee in Guangzhou, helping guide regional governance during a key period of reform and modernization.

As a President of China

Yang Shangkun served as President of the People’s Republic of China from 1988 to 1993. Although the presidency was mostly symbolic, Yang held major influence due to his military ties and close relationship with Deng Xiaoping. As a revolutionary veteran and former Secretary-General of the Central Military Commission, he played a key role in both government and military affairs.

He is best known for supporting the use of force during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. His approval was critical in the army’s decision to act, making him a controversial figure. Yang was also one of the CCP’s “Eight Immortals,” a group of influential party elders who shaped China’s policies after Mao. He left the presidency in 1993. After that, his political influence faded as Jiang Zemin consolidated power.