Four big families of the Republic of China

The Four big families of the Republic of China (Chinese: 蔣宋孔陳四大家族; pinyin: Jiǎng-Sòng-Kǒng-Chén sì dà jiāzú)^[1] are an initial group of families in the Republic of China era. They were responsible for much of China's management of finance, politics, economy, and law. The four big families begin with the Chinese surnames Chiang, Soong, Kung, and Chen.^[1]

Families

The following families and their descendants are listed below. Each indentation is at least one generation down, but not necessarily the next generation. Not all the descendants are shown.

Chiang family notables

• Chiang Kai-shek (蔣中正字介石, 1887–1975), first President of the Republic of China^[2]
  • Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國, 1910–1988), President of the Republic of China
    • Eddie Chiang (蔣孝勇, 1948–1996), politician
    • Winston Chang (章孝慈, 1941–1996), Soochow University president
    • John Chiang (蔣孝嚴, 1941–), politician

Soong family notables

• Charlie Soong (宋嘉樹, 1863–1918), businessman, friend of Sun Yat-Sen
  • T. V. Soong (宋子文, 1891–1971), businessman^[1]
  • Soong sisters
    • Soong Ai-ling (宋藹齡, 1890–1973), married to H. H. Kung
    • Soong Ching-ling (宋慶齡, 1893–1981), married to Sun Yat-sen, Honorary President of the People's Republic of China (1981), acting President of the People's Republic of China (1968–1972), acting Chairperson of the National People's Congress (1976–1978), Vice President of the People's Republic of China
    • Soong Mei-ling (宋美齡, 1898–2003), married to Chiang Kai-shek, First Lady of the Republic of China
  • Soong Zi-on (宋子安, 1906–1969), Guangzhou bank chairman

Kung family notables

• H. H. Kung (孔祥熙, 1881–1967), businessman, politician^[1]

Chen family notables

• Chen Qimei (陳其美, 1878–1916), politician^[1]
  • Chen Guofu (陳果夫, 1892–1951), politician
  • Chen Lifu (陳立夫, 1900–2001), politician

See also

• Four big families of Hong Kong

References