Xue Ming

Xue Ming, originally named Wang Aizhen, was born in 1916 into a poor peasant family in Ba County, Hebei Province. Her mother's surname was Xue, which led to her adopting the name Xue Ming. Details about her early education and family background are not extensively documented, but she committed herself to revolutionary work during her teenage years.

In March 1936, Xue Ming secretly joined the Chinese Communist Party, becoming an underground courier responsible for contact with organizations such as the Tianjin Student Federation, the Democratic Youth League, and the Women's Rescue Association, conducting clandestine activities. In the summer of 1938, she traveled to Yan'an to undergo training at the Central Party School and participate in work. That November, while studying in the 31st class at the Central Party School in Yan'an, she served as a branch organization committee member. In 1941, she was appointed as a member of the Yan'an County Party Committee and Minister of the Organization Department.

During her organizational activities in 1938, Xue Ming was involved in the organization of the Tianjin Exiled Students' Association. She previously served as an officer at the Jiangxi Women's Improvement Association, was the director of the Fengcheng County Refugee Care Hospital, and guided special classes at Yan'an Women's University. In 1943, she furthered her studies at the Central Party School in Yan'an.

In 1942, she married He Long, a renowned commander of the Northwest Bureau. After marriage, Xue Ming continued her party work, including serving as the Director of the Political Department of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia-Shanxi Defensive Military District, undertaking military political tasks. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, she held several important positions, including member of the Southwest Bureau Women's Federation and Minister of Welfare in 1950, Director of the Propaganda Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, among others. In 1958, she became the Secretary and Director of the Office of Vice Chairman He Long, and a member of the Party Committee of the General Armies' General Office. In 1978, she was appointed Prosecutor General of the Military Procuratorate of the PLA General Staff, Advisor to the Political Department, and a member of its Party Committee. In 1988, she was awarded the China People's Liberation Army Second-Class Red Star Merit Medal.

Xue Ming was a delegate to the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a deputy to the 4th National People's Congress, and a member and standing committee member of the 5th, 6th, and 7th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Her career spanned several decades across major historical periods in China.

Regarding her family relations, her husband He Long was a famous Marshal of the People's Liberation Army. They married in 1942 and had children. Some reports suggest their relationship was arranged by the organization as a form of love match, though specific details are not provided.

During the Cultural Revolution, Xue Ming and He Long suffered criticism and persecution. They persisted through adversity, demonstrating resilient revolutionary spirit. During the "Cultural Revolution," she faced severe challenges, and her family also experienced hardship.

Xue Ming passed away on August 31, 2011, in Beijing at the age of 95. She was the last of the wives of China's Ten Marshals to die. Her life covered numerous significant events and figures in modern Chinese history.