Li Yaowen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Li Yaowen
李耀文
In 1955
Political Commissar of the People's Liberation Army Navy
In office October 1980 – April 1990
Preceded by	Ye Fei
Succeeded by	Wei Jinshan
Political Commissar of the Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense
In office April 1977 – January 1980
Succeeded by	Chen Jide (Chinese: zh:陈继德)
Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar
In office 1975–1976
Preceded by	New position
Succeeded by	Tian Zhidong (Chinese: 田志东)
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania
In office 1972–1975
Preceded by	Zhong Xidong (Chinese: 仲曦东)
Succeeded by	Liu Chun (Chinese: 刘春)
Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office July 1970 – April 1972
Deputy Political Commissar of Jinan Military Region
In office October 1965 – April 1970
Director of the Political Department of Jinan Military Region
In office May 1955 – January 1968
Preceded by	New position
Personal details
Born	Zhang Xishen (Chinese: 张锡绅) (1918-05-01)1 May 1918 Chengshan, Rongcheng, Shandong, China
Died	10 April 2018(2018-04-10) (aged 99) Beijing, China
Political party	Chinese Communist Party
Alma mater	PLA Military Academy
Occupation	Military officer, diplomat
Awards	Red Star Medal Order of Independence and Freedom Order of Liberation
Military service
Allegiance	People's Republic of China
Branch/service	People's Liberation Army Ground Force  People's Liberation Army Navy
Years of service	1937–1997
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Jinan Military Region
Battles/wars	Second Sino-Japanese War Chinese Civil War Korean War Chinese Vietnamese Sea Battle

Li Yaowen (Chinese: 李耀文; pinyin: Lǐ Yàowén) was an important Chinese admiral and diplomat. He was born as Zhang Xishen (Chinese: 张锡绅) on May 1, 1918. He passed away on April 10, 2018.

Li Yaowen joined the revolution at age 16. He became a member of the Chinese Communist Party when he was 19. He fought in many major battles as a senior officer. These included the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War. He also took part in the Chinese Vietnamese Sea Battle.

He rose through the ranks in the People's Liberation Army. By age 37, he was a major general. In 1988, he became a full general. He served as the political leader of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) from 1980 to 1990. He also held important roles in the Jinan Military Region.

During a period called the Cultural Revolution, he worked as a diplomat. He was a vice-minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. He also served as China's ambassador to Tanzania and Madagascar.

Life Story

Early Life and Education

Li Yaowen was born as Zhang Xishen. This was in Chengshan Town, Rongcheng County, Shandong province. He was born on May 1, 1918. He went to the No. 1 School in Rongcheng County.

After school, he started working. He worked in the county's Education Bureau and Library. He also worked at the Education Museum.

Joining the Revolution

After the September 18th incident, he learned about Marxism. This was through a Communist named Cao Manzhi.

In 1933, Li worked at the Education Museum. At the same time, he secretly worked for the Communist Party. He gathered important information for them.

In 1934, Li Yaowen and Cao Manzhi used the Education Museum. They used it to teach people about patriotism and communism.

Fighting in the Second Sino-Japanese War

In 1937, Li joined the Chinese Communist Party. This was just before the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. He became a publicity officer for the Party in Rongcheng County.

He helped lead an armed uprising with Cao Manzhi and Lin Hujia. Their troops joined the Anti-Japanese and National Salvation Army.

From 1938 to 1945, he helped organize the fight against Japan in Shandong. After Japan surrendered in 1945, he became a political leader in the military.

Role in the Chinese Civil War

In January 1947, Li led his troops in the Battle of South Shandong. He also took part in the Battle of Laiwu.

In 1948, he became a deputy director in the East China Field Army. Later that year, he became a director. His troops fought in the Battle of Kaifeng. They also joined the Battle of East Henan. In November, he participated in the Huaihai Campaign. This was a very large battle in north China.

In April 1949, he joined the Crossing River Campaign. After that, his troops helped take the city of Shanghai.

Service in the People's Republic of China

When the Korean War began, Li Yaowen was ordered to join. He took part in the campaign led by Peng Dehuai.

In 1954, Li became a director in the Shandong Military District. This district later became the Jinan Military Region. In September, he became a major general. He received two important awards: the Order of Independence and Freedom and the Order of Liberation. He served in the Jinan Military Region until 1968.

In October 1965, Li was promoted. He became the deputy political leader of the Jinan Military Region.

Diplomatic Missions

In April 1970, Premier Zhou Enlai appointed Li. He became a vice-minister of Foreign Affairs.

In September 1971, Lin Biao tried to escape China. Li helped confirm Lin's death after an air crash in Mongolia.

In April 1972, Mao Zedong appointed him. Li became the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania.

In 1975, he was appointed as the Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar. He held this position until February 1976.

Later Military Leadership

In 1976, the "Gang of Four" was overthrown. In April 1977, Li became a political leader. This was for the Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. He worked as an assistant to General Zhang Aiping.

In October 1980, he was promoted again. He became the political leader of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy).

On March 14, 1988, the Vietnam People's Navy attacked the Johnson South Reef. Some Chinese soldiers were killed. Li commanded the Chinese army to fight back. They won this battle. In September, Li was given the rank of Admiral.

Li retired in July 1998. That same year, he received the Red Star medal, 1st Class.

Death

Li Yaowen passed away on April 10, 2018. He died in Beijing, China. He was almost 100 years old.