Zhou Weizhi

Zhou Weizhi
Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles
In office
December 1996 – November 2006
Standing Committee member of the 7th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
In office
April 1988 – March 1993
Chairman Deng Xiaoping
Minister of Culture of the PRC (acting)
In office
December 1980 – April 1982
Premier Zhao Ziyang
Preceded by Huang Zhen
Succeeded by Zhu Muzhi
Personal details
Born Zhou Liangji (周良驥)
June 13, 1916
Dongtai, Jiangsu, China
Died September 12, 2014 (aged 98)
Beijing
Nationality Chinese
Political party Communist Party of China
Spouse(s) Wang Kun
Children Two sons
This is a Chinese name; the family name is Zhou.
Zhou Weizhi
Chinese 周巍峙

Zhou Weizhi or Zhou Weishi (13 June 1916 – 12 September 2014) was a Chinese musician and politician. He served as acting Minister of Culture of the People's Republic of China, and was a standing committee member of the 7th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).[1][2]

Biography

Zhou was born in Dongtai, Jiangsu Province, Republic of China on 13 June 1916, to a poor family, both his grandfather Zhou Songquan (周松权) and father Zhou Weitang (周慰堂) were farmers. Zhou has two uncles, Zhou Xinfu (周鑫甫) and Zhou Shaoqing (周少卿). His father went to Shanghai as a worker in a factory when he at the age of 5, at the same time, he attended old-style private school and developed an interest in Chinese Opera. By the age of 9, Zhou attended middle school in 1925.

In 1926, Zhou's father took part in the Northern Expedition, he went to Shanghai and Shaoxing with his father. In 1930, Zhou worked in the library of the newspaper Shen Bao. After the January 28 Incident, Zhou worked as a secretary of Li Gongpu until 1934, he changed his name Zhou Weizhi in the same year.

From 1934 to 1937, Zhou worked in the Shanghai Cultural of National Salvation Association (上海文化届救国会). In September 1937, Zhou joined the Eighth Route Army in Linfen, Shanxi Province, and he joined the Communist Party of China in Xi'an in July 1938. From November 1938 to 1944, Zhou worked in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Border Region (晋察冀边区). From April 1944 to 1949, Zhou worked as a teacher in Lu Xun Art Academy of Yan'an.

In 1966, the Cultural Revolution was launched by Mao Zedong, Zhou suffered political persecution. Zhou, his wife Wang Kun, and his children were sent to the May Seventh Cadre Schools to work.

From December 1977 to April 1982, Zhou served as vice minister of Culture of China. From December 1980 to April 1982, Zhou served as Minister of Culture. From December 1996 to November 2006, Zhou served as chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. From November 2006 to 2011, Zhou served as honorary chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

Zhou died in Beijing on September 12, 2014.[3]

Personal life

Zhou was married to the singer Wang Kun. They had two sons, Zhou Qi (周七), and Zhou Yue (周月).

Award

References

  1. ↑ Chou, Oliver (2014-09-14). "Zhou Weishi, a pioneer of the performing arts in China, dies aged 98". South China Morning Post.
  2. ↑ "总理是最后一根救命稻草" (in Simplified Chinese). 金羊网. Retrieved 2013.
  3. ↑ 《志愿军战歌》曲作者周巍峙逝世(组图) (in Chinese). NetEase. September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.