Zhang Wensong

Zhang Wensong, courtesy name not specified, also used the pseudonyms Zhang Xiao and Li Xizhe. He was born in June 1919, originally from Ba County, Hebei Province, and born in Beijing. His undergraduate records do not specify his school; he previously studied at the Beijing Normal University Affiliated Middle School. During this period, in 1935, he joined the Left-Wing Writers' League and participated in the "December 9th" Movement. In 1936, he joined the Chinese National Liberation Vanguard in Beijing. In 1938, Zhang Wensong formally joined the Chinese Communist Party.

During the War of Resistance Against Japan, starting in October 1938, he served as an officer in the Propaganda Department of the Jinan District Party Committee, and as Secretary of Chui County Committee. Subsequently, he became a member of the Fourth District Committee of Jinan and Minister of Propaganda. In November 1943, he relocated to Beijing to conduct clandestine activities, later serving as a standing committee member of the Beijing City Study Committee and Secretary of the Arts and Literature Work Committee. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Zhang Wensong served as Political Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, later promoted to Deputy Director and Director of the Political Research Office of the Committee, as well as Minister and Standing Committee Member of the Municipal Education Department.

During the Cultural Revolution, he was persecuted. Starting in October 1975, he served as Deputy Director of the Beijing Steel Plant Revolutionary Committee and Director of Beijing Publishing Bureau. In April 1979, he became a member of the Party Leading Group and Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1981, he was appointed a member of the Party Leading Group and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education. Additionally, he held multiple positions, including advisor to the National People's Congress Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee, Vice President of the Chinese Education Society, and Advisor to the Yan'an Spirit Research Association. Zhang Wensong retired in 1995.

He was a member of the 7th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. On December 12, 2011, he passed away in Beijing at the age of 93, reportedly due to ineffective medical treatment for illness. After his death, senior leaders of the central government expressed condolences and mourning in various ways.

In terms of family: his wife was Huang Ganying, who served as Vice Chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation. Huang Ganying's father was Huang Xiquan, a diplomat and political figure during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period. His family also includes his second uncle Zhang Bi, his older brother Zhang Qi, his sister Zhang Jieqing (married to Peng Zhen), and his younger sister Zhang Jiexun. His brother-in-law was Huang Zhongfu, who served as Consul General in New York. Huang Ganying’s niece was Huang Kunlin, who served as Chairwoman of the 25th Chinese-Taiwanese Women's Federation. His father, father-in-law, sister, younger brother, and other family members have also held influence in various fields.