Wang Dezheng

Wang Dezheng (1907–2001) was the father of Wang Qishan, former Vice President of the People’s Republic of China and former Vice Premier of the State Council. Born in 1907 during the late Qing Dynasty, he was intelligent and eager to learn from an early age. At 13, he was admitted to Tianzhen County No. 1 Higher Primary School, and at 16 he enrolled in Tianjin Tongwen Academy, showing exceptional academic promise.

In 1927, Wang Dezheng entered the preparatory program at Nankai University in Tianjin, where he also participated in student demonstrations, reflecting his youthful enthusiasm and sense of responsibility. In 1929, he was admitted with excellent results to the Department of Civil Engineering at Tsinghua University in Beijing. At that time, Tsinghua’s entrance exams were considered extremely competitive, with only about 100 students admitted per year, making Wang Dezheng a rare talent of his generation. He graduated in 1933 as a professionally trained engineer.

After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Wang Dezheng went to his wife’s hometown of Pingdu, Shandong Province, where he taught. Following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, he devoted himself to national construction. In 1956, he became a senior engineer at the Design Institute directly under the Ministry of Construction, contributing significantly to civil engineering and infrastructure projects in China.

Wang Dezheng lived a life marked by diligence, intellect, and a strong sense of duty. He not only served as an important influence in his son Wang Qishan’s upbringing but also left a legacy through his professional work in national development. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 94.