Wang Shusheng Biography

Author: Writing Group of "Biography of Wang Shusheng"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The grand historical mission bestowed by the times has fallen upon the shoulders of hundreds of millions of Chinese people. Whether it is the democratic revolution or the socialist revolution and construction, it is always the cause of the broad masses of the people and must rely on the collective wisdom and efforts of the entire Chinese people to achieve this grand undertaking. It is precisely in this creative historical activity led by the people that a large number of outstanding representatives emerged, reflecting the needs of the masses, embodying their will, and consolidating their wisdom. Like all eras of major historical changes, the 20th century China was a time of great events and the rise of outstanding figures. It was the great era that gave birth to historical giants as brilliant as stars; it was precisely the arduous struggles and glorious achievements of these historical giants that fully reflected the trends of the times and the aspirations of the people, profoundly and vividly depicting the great era in full swing. Their life's achievements precisely constitute a microcosm of this unprecedented historical transformation from the old China to the new China. Precisely for this reason, compiling the biographies of outstanding historical figures who played a pivotal role in founding the People's Republic of China carries a significance far beyond merely recording individual lives. This series of biographies undoubtedly should be regarded as a moving historical scroll composed of the blood and sweat of countless patriotic martyrs and revolutionary pioneers in contemporary China, a revolutionary monument that will forever stand in the hearts of generations of people. Each biography in the "Biographies of Contemporary Chinese Figures" series can be read as the history of contemporary China's salvation, the history of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the history of its construction; each biography can be read as the history of the revolution that ended China's suffering and peril, and the foundational and pioneering history of building socialism through hard struggle.
The "Biographies of Contemporary Chinese Figures" series will first compile the biographies of the founding heroes of the People's Republic of China and outstanding figures from various fields. The protagonists of these biographies will include: the main leaders of the Party and the state, the meritorious marshals in the People's Liberation Army, the leaders of various democratic parties who participated in the founding of the new China and famous patriotic figures from all walks of life, prominent scientists, writers, and artists who made outstanding contributions, as well as internationalist fighters who made significant contributions to China's democratic revolution and socialist cause, and so on. Without a doubt, they are not only the outstanding representatives of contemporary China but also historical giants whose names will be recorded in the annals of eternity. Of course, like all historical figures, the outstanding representatives of our time could not be free from the limitations of historical conditions and would inevitably have certain weaknesses and shortcomings, and might make some mistakes in their lives. However, all of these, like the eclipses of the sun and moon, would not tarnish their glorious image if made openly and honestly. Their achievements in building the Chinese nation, their revolutionary spirit, noble character, outstanding talent, wisdom, and exemplary words and deeds have all left an indelible mark on history and set an example for future generations. This is a precious spiritual wealth that the Chinese nation must cherish forever. It will undoubtedly become an excellent textbook for cultivating the patriotic spirit and socialist belief of generations of Chinese people.
At present, the Chinese people are working hard under the grand design of Comrade Deng Xiaoping and the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Jiang Zemin at its core, striving to achieve the second strategic goal of socialist modernization and reach a moderately prosperous society in this century. May people learn from the glorious achievements of these historical figures in this "Biographies of Contemporary Chinese Figures" series, taking their revolutionary spirit, patriotic sentiments, and firm socialist belief as an example, and making greater contributions to the historical cause of the Chinese nation.
Wang Shusheng (1905-1974), originally named Wang Hongxin, was from Macheng County, Hubei Province. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1926 and served as the organizational director of the district and county peasant associations. In 1927, he participated in leading the Huangma Uprising. During the War of Liberation, he served as the platoon leader of the 31st Division of the Eleventh Army of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, the party representative of the division, the commander of the general reserve of the Hubei-Henan Border Region, the commander of the branch team and regiment of the Fourth Army, the deputy commander of the Eleventh Division and commander of the 33rd Regiment, the commander of the Eleventh Division, the commander of the 73rd Division and the commander of the Twenty-fifth Army, the deputy commander of the Fourth Front Army, the commander of the Thirty-first Army, and the deputy commander of the Western Route Army. He participated in the Long March. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he served as the deputy commander of the Jin-Ji-Yu Military Region and the commander of the Jin-Ji-Yu Border Region guerrilla corps, and the deputy commander of the Taihang Military Region and the head of the People's Armed Forces Department. During the War of Liberation, he served as the deputy commander of the Central Plains Military Region, the commander of the Corps and the political commissar, the deputy commander of the Songyue Military Region, and the commander of the Exi Military Region. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as the deputy commander and commander of the Hubei Military Region, the deputy commander of the Central China Military Region and the commander of the Hubei Military Region, the head of the General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army, the deputy minister of national defense, the deputy president of the Military Academy of Sciences, and the second political commissar. In 1955, he was awarded the rank of Marshal. He was a representative of the National People's Congress, a member of the Defense Committee of the , , and sessions, and a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in the , , and sessions.