Chang Ch'ün

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chang Ch'ün (張群, a.k.a. Chang Chun, Chang Yueh-chun, pinyin: Zhāng Qún) (1889-1990) was premier of the Republic of China from 1947-1948. A close associate of Chiang Kai-shek, he served as secretary general of the National Security Council and as governor of Sichuan during World War II.

In 1907 he was a military cadet in Japan, where he was a classmate of Chiang Kai-shek. They both went on to serve in the Takata regiment of the Niigata army before returning to China to serve under Sun Yat-sen in his revolution which overthrew the Qing monarchy in 1911. This period was to form the basis of the lifelong friendship between the two men.

Following the establishment of the Republic of China, Chang held several posts, including mayor of Shanghai, governor of Hupeh and foreign minister. After World War II, he negotiated as a member of the Committee of Three, with General George Marshall and Zhou En-lai, and briefly headed the first coalition government as president of the Executive Yuan, a position also known as premier of the Republic of China.

After the transfer of the capital from Nanking to Taipei in 1949, he became secretary general to the president. His work was chiefly concerned with foreign affairs, particularly relations with Japan. Among his duties were representing the president to many foreign nations, including the Second Vatican Council in 1965. In 1972, at the age of 83, he played a large role in the difficult negotiations regarding Japan's switch of diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China.

A member of the board of the National Palace Museum, he was a renowned calligrapher, friend of great artists, such as Zhang Daqian, and a keen collector. After his death at age 101, most of his collection was donated to the National Palace Museum.

He is survived by his daughter, Mrs Yalan Chang Lew, widow of the late Ambassador Yu-Tang Daniel Lew, and sons Dr Philip Chi-Cheng Chang, former finance minister and governor of the Central Bank of China, and Dr. Theodore Chi-chong Chang, former minister of the Mandarin Baptist Church of Pasadena, California.