Song Ping facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Song Ping
宋平
Song Ping in May 1949
Head of the Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party
In office June 1987 – December 1989
General Secretary	Zhao Ziyang Jiang Zemin
Preceded by	Wei Jianxing
Succeeded by	Lu Feng
State Councilor of China
In office June 1983 – April 1988
Premier	Zhao Ziyang
Chairman of the State Planning Commission
In office June 1983 – June 1987
Premier	Zhao Ziyang
Preceded by	Yao Yilin
Succeeded by	Yao Yilin
Party Secretary of Gansu
In office June 1977 – January 1981
Deputy	Feng Jixin (Governor)
Preceded by	Xian Henghan
Succeeded by	Feng Jixin
Governor of Gansu
In office June 1977 – December 1979
Preceded by	Xian Henghan
Succeeded by	Feng Jixin
Personal details
Born	(1917-04-24) 24 April 1917 (age 108) Ju County, Shandong, China
Political party	Chinese Communist Party (1937–present)
Spouse	Chen Shunyao ​ (died 2019)​
Children	Song Yichang (son) Song Yichun (son)
Chinese name
Chinese	宋平
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Sòng Píng Wade–Giles Sung P'ing

Song Ping (Chinese: 宋平; born 24 April 1917) is a very old and respected Chinese Communist leader. He was once a member of the top leadership group, called the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. Song Ping is known as the only living member from the "Second Generation of Chinese Leadership."

Early Life and Career

Song Ping was born on April 24, 1917, in Ju County, Shandong, China. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1937. Over many years, he worked his way up through different roles in the party.

Important Roles in Government

Song Ping held several important jobs. He became the top leader, or First Party Secretary, of Gansu Province. Later, he became the Minister of Organization for the Chinese Communist Party. This job meant he was in charge of finding, recommending, and promoting important leaders within the party.

Mentoring Future Leaders

While he was the Party Chief of Gansu, Song Ping helped guide two young people who would later become very important. These were Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao. Hu Jintao later became the top leader of the Chinese Communist Party. Wen Jiabao became the Premier, which is like the head of government, for China. Song Ping's guidance helped them a lot in their careers.

Later Political Career

In 1987, Song Ping left his role at the Planning Commission. He then took over as the head of the Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party. This department is very important for managing party members.

Role in Party Decisions

After some large public gatherings in 1989, Song Ping announced a decision by the Chinese Communist Party. This decision was to remove party members who had shown support for the demonstrations. After these events, Song Ping became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee. This is one of the most powerful groups in China's government. He served alongside leaders like Jiang Zemin and Li Ruihuan.

Retirement from Top Leadership

Song Ping was considered part of a more traditional group within the party. In 1992, he stepped down from the Politburo Standing Committee. This happened after the 14th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. It was part of a plan by Deng Xiaoping to bring more leaders who supported reforms into the top group.

Recent Years

Song Ping celebrated his 100th birthday on April 24, 2017. He is known for helping Hu Jintao rise to power. Even at 105 years old, he attended the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in 2022. He is a very long-lived and influential figure in Chinese politics.

Images for kids

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  Song Ping in May 1949