Li Shijun

Li Shijun (李士群, also known as Li Siqun) (1905 – September 9, 1943) was a prominent figure in the Republic of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, best known for his collaboration with the Japanese. He played a key role in establishing and leading several collaborationist organizations and intelligence agencies in Japanese-occupied territories.

Li Shijun joined the Communist Party of China in his youth but later defected and became an anti-communist. He then worked for the Kuomintang's intelligence services. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he switched his allegiance and began working with the Japanese, becoming a high-ranking official in the Wang Jingwei regime, a Japanese puppet state.

He was instrumental in forming the "76th Route" (特工總部), a notorious secret police organization known for its brutality and effectiveness in suppressing anti-Japanese resistance. This organization operated under the Wang Jingwei regime and was responsible for numerous assassinations, arrests, and acts of torture against suspected opponents of the Japanese occupation.

Li Shijun held several important positions within the Wang Jingwei regime, including Minister of Police and head of the Central China Clearing Operations Committee (清鄉委員會). These positions gave him significant power and influence over the occupied territories.

His close relationship with the Japanese eventually led to suspicion from within the Wang Jingwei regime, particularly from Wang Jingwei's wife, Chen Bijun. He was poisoned and killed in September 1943, likely due to internal power struggles and fears of his growing influence. His death significantly weakened the Wang Jingwei regime.