Du Xigui

Du Xigui (杜錫珪, also romanized as Tu Hsi-kuei; 1873 – 1933) was a Chinese naval admiral and politician during the Warlord Era. He served as Minister of the Navy multiple times and briefly as acting Premier of the Republic of China in 1924.

Du Xigui was born in Fuzhou, Fujian province. He graduated from the Jiangnan Naval Academy and served in various positions within the Qing Dynasty navy. Following the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, he sided with the Republic of China.

During the Warlord Era, Du Xigui became a prominent figure in the Zhili clique. He served as Minister of the Navy under several administrations. His political fortunes were tied to the rise and fall of the Zhili clique.

In 1924, following the Second Zhili-Fengtian War, President Cao Kun was briefly incapacitated. Du Xigui served as acting Premier for a short period before a more permanent replacement was found.

After the Zhili clique's defeat, Du Xigui largely retreated from politics. He died in 1933. His career reflected the instability and factionalism that characterized Chinese politics during the Warlord Era.