Wu Zanzhou

This is a Chinese name; the family name is 吳 (Wu).

Wu Zanzhou (simplified Chinese: 吴赞周; traditional Chinese: 吳贊周; pinyin: Wú Zànzhōu) (April 25, 1885 – October 2, 1949) was a military personnel and politician in the Republic of China. He belonged to the Beijing Government and Zhili clique. In the end, he became an important politician in the Provisional Government of the Republic of China and the Wang Jingwei regime. He was born in Zhengding, Zhili (Hebei).

Biography

Wu Zanzhou

After graduating the Baoding Military Academy, Wu Zanzhou went to study to Japan. After returning to China, he belonged to the Zhili clique General Sun Chuanfang. When Sun intercepted the National Revolutionary Army which engaged in Northern Expedition, Wu was appointed to the commander of the 6th Mixed Brigade of the 2nd Army, Anguojun (安國軍). In 1926, Sun was defeated by the National Revolutionary Army, Wu also escaped to Tianjin. Later he came back to his hometown.

In the era of the National Government, the National Revolutionary Army usually corrected taxes from Wu and occupied his house by several reasons, he held a grudge against them. In October 1937, Japanese Troops entered to Zhengding. On that time, Wu negotiated with Kiyoshi Katsuki who was the commander of the 1st Army of the Japanese Northern China Area Army and his schoolmate in Japan. Wu concluded a cease-fire agreement with Katsuki. Later Wu became the president of the Local Preservation Council in Zhengding, and cooperated with Japan.

In December same year, Wang Kemin established the Provisional Government of the Republic of China, Wu Zanzhou also participated in it. Next February, the Local Preservation Council was reformed to the Government of County, Wu was appointed to the Governor. In autumn same year, he promoted to the Governor of the Southern Hebei Area Government (冀南道尹公署道尹). In June 1939, the Governor of Hebei Province Gao Lingwei resigned his post, Wu succeeded it.

In March 1940, the Wang Jingwei regime was established, Wu Zanzhou stayed his former position, and slso held the Member of the Committee on North Chinese Political Affairs (華北政務委員會). Until March 1943, he stayed on the Governor of Hebei Province. After resigning the Governor, he was appointed to the President of the Police High School, and awarded the Lieutenant General. In 1945, he resigned his post, and became the President of the Tianjin Yongli Chemical Corporation (天津永利化學公司).

After the Wang Jingwei regime had collapsed, Wu Zanzhou arrested by Chiang Kaishek's National Government. But National Government didn't try his case. After the People's Liberation Army occupied the Beiping, he was on trial in the People's Court. Because of the charge of treason and surrender to enemy (namely Hanjian), he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Wu Zanzhou died in prison by cancer on October 2, 1949.

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