LIU SHAOQI

born 1898, Ning-hsiang district, Hunan Province, China died Nov. 12, 1969, K'ai-feng, Honan Province Liu Shaoqi WadeGiles romanization Liu Shao-ch'i chairman of the People's Republic of China (195968) and chief theoretician for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), who was considered Mao Zedong's heir apparent until he was purged in the late 1960s. Liu was active in the Chinese labour movement from its inception, and he was influential in formulating party and, later, governmental strategy. He played an important role in Chinese foreign affairs after the Communists had gained control of the country. Additional reading Donald W. Klein and Anne B. Clark, Biographic Dictionary of Chinese Communism, 19211965 (1971), a monumental, two-volume set that gives an excellent discussion of Liu's life; Liu Shao-ch'i, The Collected Works of Liu Shao-ch'i, 3 vol. (196869), is an anthology of Liu's major statements; Fifth Plenary Session of 11th C.C.P. Central Committee, Beijing Review, No. 10 (March 10, 1980), pp. 310, which documents official rehabilitation measures.