Fan Ming

In this Chinese name, the family name is Fan.
Fan Ming
Native name
Hao Keyong
RankMajor General

Fan Ming (Chinese: 范明; December 4, 1914 – February 23, 2010), originally named Hao Keyong (郝克勇), was a prominent political figure and military general in the People's Republic of China. Fan Ming died in Xi'an on February 23, 2010.[1]

Biography

Republic of China

Hao Keyong was born in 1914 in Hao Xing Village, Liyang Town, Lintong, Shaanxi Province, into a family with a blend of farming and scholarly traditions. His father, Hao Pengcheng (Chinese: 郝鹏程), served as a special forces battalion commander in Yang Hucheng's army.[2][3] In 1929, Hao Keyong followed his brother, Hao Kejun, to Shanghai, where he enrolled at Jianguo Middle School. During the January 28 incident, both brothers joined the counter-Japanese resistance volunteers organized by the 19th National Army. In May of the same year, Hao Keyong joined the Communist Youth League of China. By 1935, he had enrolled in the National Government's Salt Tax Police Officers' and Cadets' School (Chinese: 国民政府盐务税警官佐学校). Upon graduation, he was assigned as a sub-captain in the salt tax police in Tianzhu County, Guizhou Province. However, due to his strong stance against smuggling, he faced resistance and eventually had to return to Xi'an.[4]

After the Marco Polo Bridge incident, Hao enrolled in the Department of Political Science and Economics at the Xi'an Branch of the National Northeastern University. During his studies, he organized the anti-Japanese "Summer Art Society" (Chinese: 夏艺学会) and served as its president. He later attended the Anwu Youth Training Course, completing it in February 1938. Following this, Hao was introduced to the 17th Division of the 38th Army of the National Revolutionary Army (under Zhao Shoushan) in Sanyuan, where he served as a political instructor. In March, he was introduced to the Chinese Communist Party by Li Muyu (Chinese: 李慕愚) and Li Sen (Liang Lixiang, Chinese: 梁励生) and formally joined in June.[5] Shortly after, Hao was assigned to the frontlines in Honghe Town, Yangcheng, Shanxi, serving as a political instructor for the instructional unit. The CCP designated him as responsible for organizational work within the instructional unit and other units directly under military command, also making him a member of the Work Committee of the 38th Army.[6][7]

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Hao Keyong engaged in united front work under the direct leadership of the CCP Shaanxi Provincial Committee, particularly under Zhou Enlai. Hao Keyong utilized platforms like Xinhua Daily, Ta Kung Pao, and the news and editorials from Xinhua News Agency to conduct publicity activities within the military. In September 1942, the 38th Army Work Committee dispatched a defense team to escort Hao Keyong to Lintong in Shaanxi Province. From there, he was guided to Yan'an through an underground transportation network organized by the CCP Shaanxi Provincial Committee.[8] Hao first gave an initial report to Li Weihan and Jia Tuofu (Chinese: 贾拓夫) of the Northwest Bureau. Subsequently, Mao Zedong listened to his report several times. In mid-December 1942, Mao Zedong met with Hao twice more. During one of the meetings, Mao Zedong inquired about Hao Keyong's uncle's family name.[9] Upon learning it was Fan, Mao suggested that, for the sake of maintaining secrecy, Hao should henceforth be known as Fan Ming. From that point on, Hao Keyong adopted the name Fan Ming and continued his work underground.[9]

In the spring of 1943, Fan Ming returned to the 38th Army from Yan'an, relaying instructions from the Central Committee and Chairman Mao Zedong to the Work Committee and General Zhao Shoushan. Following the guidance from the Central Committee, Zhao Shoushan assigned Meng Dingjun to the Nationalist Army University, with Fan Ming serving as secretary of the Work Committee. By this time, the 38th Army had essentially become an anti-Japanese force under the leadership of the CCP. [10][11]

In 1944, under Mao Zedong's directive, Fan Ming handed over party work and organizational responsibilities within the 38th Army to Li Sen and others, then returned to Yan'an in March.[12] Between February 1938 and April 1944, Fan Ming and his colleagues organized five training programs, preparing over 2,000 revolutionary cadres and recruiting more than 500 CCP members. In June 1945, Fan Ming attended the Party School, and in September, Zhang Desheng, Secretary-General of the Northwest Bureau and head of the United Front Work Department, transferred him to the Northwest Bureau's United Front Work Department as a director through the Organization Department of the CCP Central Committee.[13] Fan Ming was tasked with overseeing the deployment of CCP underground organizations across the five northwestern provinces, as well as in Kuomintang-controlled areas in Henan and northern Sichuan. He also participated in leading the Hengshan Uprising (Chinese: 横山起义) and served as director of the political department of the 6th Cavalry Division.[14]

In 1949, Fan Ming was appointed secretary-general of the Political Department of the First Field Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and head of the Liaison Department.[15] He served as an assistant to Peng Dehuai and participated in the defense of Yan'an, as well as in key battles including those at Qinghuabian, Yangmahe, Panglong, Shajiadian, Yichuan, Libei, Fumi, Lanzhou, and others.[16]

People's Republic of China

On the eve of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Fan Ming traveled to Xining to gain the support of the 10th Panchen Lama for the new government. On August 25, 1950, he assisted the Panchen Lama in returning to Kumbum Monastery. Shortly after, Fan Ming was appointed as the secretary of the Tibet Work Committee under the CCP Northwest Bureau, commander and political commissar of the Tibet troops in the Northwest Military Region, and representative of the Northwest Military and Political Committee to the Panchen Regiment. In April 1951, Fan accompanied the 10th Panchen Lama to Beijing,[17] where the Seventeen Point Agreement was signed in May.[18] On August 28, 1951, Fan led 4,000 troops (later renamed the 18th Army on the journey) toward Tibet, accompanied by 8,000 yaks, horses, and over 1,000 camels. They arrived in Lhasa on December 1, 1951.[19]

In 1952, following the establishment of the Tibet Military Region, Fan Ming became the deputy secretary of the CCP Tibet Regional Working Committee and the deputy political commissar of the Tibet Military Region. In 1955, at the age of 41, Fan Ming was conferred the rank of Major General.[20][21]

In April 1958, Fan Ming was labeled a "rightist" and was immediately dismissed from all Party, government, and military positions.[22] He was subsequently expelled from the CCP and the military. In September 1962, he was imprisoned in Qincheng Prison for alleged involvement in the Peng Dehuai Anti-Party Group.[23]

In 1980, the Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party conducted a review of his case, leading to his rehabilitation. Afterward, Fan Ming served as a member of the sixth and seventh sessions of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). From December 1980 to May 1988, he held positions as the fourth and fifth vice-chairman of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the CPPCC.[24][25]

In July 2001, at the age of 87, Fan Ming was invited to Lhasa to participate in commemorative events, including the "Ceremony to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet," where he was received by Hu Jintao, who was then a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Vice President of China, and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.[26] Fan Ming passed away at the age of 95 on February 23, 2010. On the morning of February 27, 2010, his body was cremated at Xi'an Sanzhao Cemetery. Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, and Zhu Rongji sent wreaths of condolences in his honor.[27]

Notes

  1. ^ "陕籍开国少将范明逝世享年96岁 习近平送花圈" [General Fan Ming dies at age 96]. Huashang News (in Chinese). 2010-02-26.
  2. ^ 陕西省临潼县志编纂委员会 (1991). 臨潼县誌. 陕西省地方志叢書 (in Chinese). 上海人民出版社. p. 441. ISBN 978-7-208-01191-5. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  3. ^ 新中国第一代: 省(市, 区)委书记, 省(市, 区)长卷. 新中国第一代: 省(市, 区)委书记, 省(市, 区)长卷 (in Chinese). 湖南人民出版社. 1999. ISBN 978-7-5438-2135-4. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  4. ^ "中华人民共和国开国少将 范明". 抗日战争纪念网 (in Chinese). 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  5. ^ 吴长翼; 十七路军中共党史资料征编领导小组 (1987). 丹心素裹. 丹心素裹 (in Chinese). 中国文史出版社. p. 87. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  6. ^ 中国共产党在国民党第十七路军中的活动:. 陕西党史资料丛书 (in Chinese). 陕西人民出版社. 1991. p. 253. ISBN 978-7-224-01989-6. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  7. ^ 西安市军事志编纂委员会 (2003). 西安市军事志 (in Chinese). 三秦出版社. p. 760. ISBN 978-7-80628-722-4. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  8. ^ 陕西省地方志编纂委员会 (Shaanxi Sheng, China) (2002). 陕西省志: 中囯共产党志. 第47卷. 中华人民共和国地方志丛书 (in Chinese). 陕西人民出版社. p. 21. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  9. ^ a b 《文史精华》编辑部 (2010). 文史精华典藏版. 文史精华典藏版 (in Chinese). 河北人民出版社. p. 65. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  10. ^ 中共党史人物硏究会 (1980). 中共党史人物传. 中共党史人物传 (in Chinese). 陕西人民出版社. p. 165. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  11. ^ 中共中央党史研究室 (2005). 中流砥柱: 中国共产党与全民族抗日战争. 中流砥柱: 中国共产党与全民族抗日战争 (in Chinese). 中共党史出版社. p. 1632. ISBN 978-7-80199-278-9. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  12. ^ 密戰 (in Chinese). Kai ming shu dian. 2023. p. 133. ISBN 978-962-459-284-9. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  13. ^ China. 中国人民解放军. 陝西省军区. 政治部 (1985). 国民党部队起义投诚史料选编: 陝西境內 (in Chinese). 陝西省军区政治部. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  14. ^ 长舜 (1991). 百万国民党军起义投诚纪实. 百万国民党军起义投诚纪实 (in Chinese). 中国文史出版社. p. 510. ISBN 978-7-5034-0142-8. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  15. ^ China. 中国人民解放军. 总政治部. 联络部 (1999). 中国人民解放军联络工作史. 中国人民解放军联络工作历史资料丛书 (in Chinese). 总政治部联络部. p. 708. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  16. ^ 中国人民解放军军史大辞典 (in Chinese). 吉林人民出版社出版发行. 1993. p. 797. ISBN 978-7-206-01814-5. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  17. ^ 中共中央党校. 理论研究室 (2005). 中华人民共和国国史全鉴: 民族宗教卷. 中华人民共和国国史全鉴 (in Chinese). Central Literature Publishing House. p. 40. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  18. ^ 红色记忆:. 红色记忆: 中国共产党历史口述实录 (in Chinese). 济南出版社. 2002. p. 87. ISBN 978-7-80629-509-0. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  19. ^ 西北民族学院校史编写委员会 (2000). 西北民族学院校史 (in Chinese). 甘肃民族出版社. p. 14. ISBN 978-7-5421-0740-4. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  20. ^ 1955共和国将帅大授衔 (in Chinese). 黄河出版社. 2008. p. 78. ISBN 978-7-80152-924-4. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  21. ^ 中国人民解放军军史大辞典 (in Chinese). 吉林人民出版社出版发行. 1993. p. 797. ISBN 978-7-206-01814-5. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  22. ^ 右傳：反右派鬥爭史 (上、下冊) (in Chinese). 香港城市大学出版社. 2022. p. 1144. ISBN 978-962-937-614-7. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  23. ^ Goldstein）, M.C. (2021). 現代西藏史：1957–1959. 邊疆研究系列 (in Chinese). 香港中文大学出版社. p. 202. ISBN 978-988-237-218-4. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  24. ^ 中国共产党. 中央组织部; 中共中央党史硏究室; 中央档案馆 (2000). 中国共产党组织史资料: 附卷3. 中国人民政治协商会议组织, 1949.10-1997.9. 中国共产党组织史资料 (in Chinese). 中共党史出版社. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  25. ^ 中国共产党. 中央组织部; 中共中央党史硏究室; 中央档案馆 (2000). 中国共产党组织史资料: 中国人民政治协商会议组织, 1949.10-1997.9 (附卷3). 中国共产党组织史资料 (in Chinese). 中共党史出版社. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  26. ^ "老将军范明的进藏传奇：见证西藏和平解放历史". tibet.cctv.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  27. ^ "开国少将范明遗体在西安三兆公墓火化". 新闻中心首页_新浪网 (in Chinese). 2010-02-28. Retrieved 2024-08-21.

References

  • Goldstein, Melvyn C. (2009). A History of Modern Tibet: The Calm Before the Storm: 1951-1955. Vol. II. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-25995-9.