Nie Rongzhen

Nie Rongzhen (December 29, 1899 – May 14, 1992) was an important military and political leader of the People's Republic of China. He was born near Shiyuanzi in Wutanchang, Jiangjin County, Sichuan Province. In his early years, he received enlightenment in a private school, and in 1910, he began studying at a local school. By 1917, he was admitted to Jiangjin County Middle School (now Jiangjin Middle School) with excellent grades. During his growth, Nie Rongzhen read widely, including Darwin's “The Origin of Species,” Huxley's “Evolution and Ethics,” and progressive publications like “New Youth,” which gradually influenced his thinking and fostered his patriotic feelings.

In 1919, due to his participation in patriotic struggles of local students, Nie Rongzhen was arrested by reactionary military police. To avoid danger, he went to France to work and study and actively participated in the student movement in France. In 1922, he transferred to the Chemical Engineering Department at the Labor University in Charleroi, Belgium, and in the same year, he joined the Chinese Young Communist Party in Europe (later the European Branch of the Chinese Socialist Youth League), serving as a member of the Executive Committee and Vice Director of the Training Department. In 1924, on orders, he went to the Soviet Union to study, attending the Moscow Eastern Labourers Communist University and the Chinese class at the Soviet Red Army School to learn military science. After completing his studies in 1925, he returned to China.

After returning to China, Nie Rongzhen served as the Secretary of the Political Department and Political Instructor at Whampoa Military Academy, working in the National Revolutionary Army, actively planning for the revolutionary movements of the Nationalist Revolution and the proletariat. In 1927, he participated in leading armed uprisings such as the Nanchang Uprising and Guangzhou Uprising. He served as Secretary of the Military Committee of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. During the Long March, he performed outstandingly, participating in the command of key battles such as breaking through blockades, leading the “Capture of Luding Bridge” and crossing the grasslands. In 1935, he participated in the historic Long March with the Red Army and entered the Shaanxi Soviet Area.

During the Anti-Japanese War, Nie Rongzhen successively served as Deputy Commander and Political Commissar of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army. He organized the Battle of Pingxingguan at the Battle of Tai'erzhuang, defeating the main Japanese forces. As a result, his military leadership role was gradually established during the war. After the war, he participated in the command of the Liberation War, gradually becoming one of the core commanders of campaigns. In 1948, he organized the Pingjin Campaign, cooperating with the liberation of Beiping (Beijing).

After the founding of New China, Nie Rongzhen served as Vice Chairman of the National Military Commission of the Central People's Government, overseeing military industry and scientific and technological development. He promoted major national defense science projects such as “Two Bombs, One Satellite,” becoming one of the founders of China's national defense science and technology. In 1955, he was awarded the rank of Marshal of the People's Republic of China and concurrently served as Vice Premier of the State Council, leading the country's scientific and technological development comprehensively.

During the Cultural Revolution, after arduous struggles, he gradually restored his position. In 1977, he was re-elected as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, continuing efforts to modernize the military. In 1987, due to illness, he retired from his work. On May 14, 1992, Nie Rongzhen passed away in Beijing at the age of 92.

As one of the founding meritorious figures of New China, Nie Rongzhen was praised as the “Father of Missiles” and “Founder of the People's Liberation Army” for his military talent and technological contributions. He made significant contributions in military, scientific, political, and social realms, and his legacy is forever etched in Chinese history.