Gao Gang

Gao Gang (高岗) (1905 – August 17, 1954) was a high-ranking leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during the Chinese Revolution and in the early years of the People's Republic of China (PRC). He is best known for being the leader of the "Gao Gang-Rao Shushi Affair," a major intra-party power struggle in 1953-1954 that led to his purge and subsequent suicide (or possible murder, depending on interpretation).

Born in Shaanxi province, Gao Gang joined the CCP in the mid-1920s. He rose through the ranks due to his organizational skills and his association with the Northwest region, which was a crucial base for the CCP during the Chinese Civil War. He played a significant role in consolidating Communist control over Northwest China.

Following the Communist victory in 1949, Gao held several important positions, including Chairman of the Northeast People's Government (essentially governor of Manchuria), Commander of the Northeast Military Region, and a member of the Politburo. He was instrumental in the economic reconstruction and development of Northeast China, making it a crucial industrial base for the new PRC.

In 1953, Gao was transferred to Beijing to head the State Planning Commission, a powerful agency responsible for formulating and implementing economic plans. It was during this time that he, along with Rao Shushi (another high-ranking official), allegedly engaged in factional activities aimed at undermining Liu Shaoqi and Zhou Enlai, who were then considered Mao Zedong's likely successors. Specifically, Gao is accused of privately suggesting to other party leaders that Liu and Zhou be replaced.

Mao Zedong initially appeared to support Gao's critique of certain aspects of the existing party leadership. However, as the situation developed, Mao distanced himself from Gao and denounced his activities as "splittist" and motivated by personal ambition.

In 1954, at the Fourth Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee, Gao Gang was formally condemned for anti-Party activities. He was expelled from the CCP posthumously. The exact circumstances of his death are disputed. The official version states that he committed suicide by taking poison in August 1954, but some historians and analysts believe he may have been killed.

The Gao Gang Affair had a significant impact on the CCP, reinforcing Mao's authority and discouraging potential challenges to the established leadership. The affair was officially classified as a serious breach of Party discipline and used as a cautionary tale against factionalism and personal ambition within the CCP. The case also served as a precursor to the more widespread purges that would occur during the Cultural Revolution.