Chen Cheng
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| Chen Cheng 陳誠 |
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|---|---|
| 4 January 1897 – 5 March 1965 | |
 Chen Cheng |
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| Place of birth | Qingtian, Zhejiang |
| Place of death | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Allegiance | Republic of China |
| Years of service | 1924 - 1950 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | 18th Army 11th Division |
| Battles/wars | Northern Expedition Battle of Shanghai (1937) Battle of Wuhan Battle of Changsha Battle of Yichang Burma Theatre Chinese Civil War |
| Awards | 47 different medal of honor/awards throughout career. |
| Other work | Politician |
- This is a Chinese name; the family name is Chen
Chen Cheng (Traditional Chinese: 陳誠; Simplified Chinese: 陈诚; Hanyu Pinyin: Chén Chéng) (January 4, 1897 - March 5, 1965), Chinese political and military leader, was one of the main Kuomintang commanders during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War. After moving to Taiwan at the end of the Civil War, he served the Governor of Taiwan, Vice President and Premier of the Republic of China. Under Chiang Kai-shek, he initiated a popular land reform program, giving him a good reputation even after death. His courtesy name, officially in Gwoyeu Romatzyh, was Chen Tsyr-shiou (陳辭修; pinyin: Chen Cixiu).
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[edit] Early life
Born in Qingtian, Zhejiang, he graduated from Baoding Military Academy (保定軍校) in 1922, and entered Whampoa Academy two years later. It is here where he met Chiang Kai-shek for the first time, who was the commandant of the Academy. Chen later joined National Revolutionary Army to participate in the Northern Expedition.
[edit] Rise in the Army
During the Northern Expedition, Chen displayed his excellent commanding ability. Within a year of conquest, he was promoted from commanding battalions to divisions, which was unusual in the National Revolutionary Army.
Later after the expedition, Chen became active in the wars against warlords. His successes in these battles allowed him to be promoted again, this time to the commander of the 18th Army.
[edit] Anti-Communist campaigns
Beginning in 1931, Chen was assigned the task of suppressing the Red Army. In various campaigns searching for the main force of Red Army, Chen experienced heavy casualties. In the fifth campaign against the Communists, he finally managed to defeat them, forcing the Red Army to launch their epic Long March.
Campaigns against the Red Army came to an end after the Xi'an Incident, which Chiang and his staffs were forced to agree in cooperation with the Communists against the invading Japanese Army.
[edit] Second Sino-Japanese War
Chen moved to Hubei to command the Battle of Wuhan during the year of 1938. Wuhan was the provisional headquarter of the Chinese Army. The Japanese however, managed to defeat the Chinese under heavy losses and captured Wuhan on October 25th, 1938.
In latter years of the war, Chen went on to command the Battle of Changsha, Battle of Yichang and Battle of West Hubei. In 1943, he was appointed the commander of the Chinese Expeditionary Force in Burma theatre until he was replaced by Wei Li-haung due to illness.
[edit] Chinese Civil War
After the Second Sino-Japanese War, Chen became the Chief of the general staff. He followed Chiang's orders and began to raid the "liberated" areas by Red Army which launched the Chinese Civil War.
In 1947, Chen moved to Manchuria to command the Nationalist force against the Communists in that area. He suffered several major defeats, losing over one and half a million troops in the process, and was thus dismissed in 1948.
[edit] In Taiwan
Chiang appointed Chen as the Governor of Taiwan in 1949 to stable the situation of Taiwan as it was clear the Nationalists were going to lose China. After the Nationalist force retreats to Taiwan, Chen went on to hold many key government positions such as Vice-Executive of the Kuomintang, Vice President and Premier of the Republic of China.
In his years at Taiwan, he introduced various land, economic reforms and developed the reconstruction of Taiwan.
Chen died of hepatic tumors in 1965. His cremated remains were moved to Fo Guang Shan, Kaohsiung County in August 1995 after originally located in a Taipei memorial park containing a museum dedicated to him.
[edit] Family
He married Tan Xiang, the daughter of Tan Yankai. Chen and Tan's eldest son, Chen Li-an, also became a politician.
[edit] See also
 |
This page contains Chinese text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Chinese characters. |
| Preceded by: Wu Gwo-jen |
Governor of Taiwan January 5, 1949–December 21, 1949 |
Succeeded by: Wey Daw-ming |
| Preceded by: Yü Hung-chün |
Premier of the Republic of China March 7, 1950–June 7, 1954 |
Succeeded by: Yen Hsi-shan |
| Preceded by: Yen Chia-kan |
Premier of the Republic of China June 30, 1958–December 15, 1963 |
Succeeded by: Yü Hung-chün |
| Preceded by: Li Tsung-jen |
Vice President of the Republic of China March 12, 1954–March 5, 1965 |
Succeeded by: Yen Chia-kan |
