Definition
Xu Xiangqian (徐向前; 1901 – 1990) was a senior Chinese military leader, a Marshal of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and a prominent figure in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during the revolutionary period and the early decades of the People’s Republic of China.
Overview
Born on June 12, 1901, in the village of Wutai, Shanxi Province, Xu joined the Chinese Communist movement in the 1920s. He participated in the Autumn Harvest Uprising (1927) and later became a commander in the Red Army during the Chinese Civil War. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, he held several high‑ranking military and political positions, including Vice Minister of National Defense, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and member of the Politburo of the CCP. Xu was awarded the rank of Marshal (元帅) in 1955, one of only ten individuals to receive this honor. He remained an influential figure in PLA reforms and Sino‑Soviet military cooperation until his retirement in the late 1970s. Xu died on April 21, 1990, in Beijing.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Xu” (徐) is a common Chinese surname. “Xiangqian” (向前) literally means “forward” or “to move forward,” a name often associated with revolutionary ideals. The characters reflect the practice of giving children aspirational names during the early 20th‑century revolutionary period in China.
Characteristics
- Military Leadership: Xu is noted for his command of the 13th Army Group during the Chinese Civil War and for leading forces in major campaigns such as the Liaoshen, Pingjin, and Southwest campaigns. He emphasized mobility, guerrilla tactics, and political education of troops.
- Political Reliability: Throughout the Cultural Revolution (1966‑1976), Xu survived political purges by maintaining a low profile and aligning with the prevailing party line, later supporting the rehabilitation of many veteran commanders.
- Reform Advocacy: In the 1970s, Xu supported modernization efforts within the PLA, including the adoption of combined‑arms doctrines and increased emphasis on advanced weaponry.
- International Engagement: He participated in diplomatic military exchanges, notably with the Soviet Union, and contributed to joint training programs that shaped early Sino‑Soviet military cooperation.
Related Topics
- People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
- Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
- Marshal of the People’s Republic of China (military rank)
- Chinese Civil War (1927–1950)
- Cultural Revolution (1966–1976)
- Liu Bocheng, Lin Biao, Peng Dehuai (contemporaries and fellow PLA marshals)
- Sino‑Soviet relations (1950s–1970s)
All information presented reflects established historical records and scholarly sources.