Cheng Siyuan

Cheng Siyuan

Cheng Siyuan (1908-2005), born in Binyang, Guangxi, is a political activist. He graduated from the University of Rome with a doctorate in political science. In his youth, he devoted himself to the army. Gradually become the core figure of the GUI family. During the 10 years from April 1956 to June 1965, Li Zongren sent Cheng Siyuan to Beijing five times to pay homage to Premier Zhou Enlai. Cheng Siyuan and Li Zongren went to Europe to set up a bridge, making full preparations for Li Zongren's return to the mainland. Finally, together with Li Zongren, he returned from overseas. He died in 2005 at the age of 97. He is the author of Jiang Li relationship and China, Mr. Li Zongren's later years, memories of politics, secret heart of Zhenghai, biography of Bai Chongxi and my memories.

Life of the characters

Early career

Cheng Siyuan was born in August 1908 in Dacheng village, Daqiao Town, Binyang, Guangxi. He turned out to be a son of the Binyang peasant family. When he was in middle school, he heard that Li Zongren of the Northern Expedition army was recruiting documents, so he rushed to take the exam with a bag of rice on his back. As a result, he won the first place in the exam with beautiful writing style. He was admitted without any background. From then on, he joined the army, followed Li Zongren and experienced many major events. From 1930 to 1934, Cheng Siyuan was the Secretary of Li Zongren, commander-in-chief of the fourth group army of the Chinese Kuomintang, thus forming an indissoluble bond with the New Gui Clique. From 1934 to 1937, he studied as a graduate student at the University of Rome. In 1937, he received a doctor of political science from the University of Rome and went back to China to join the Anti Japanese War, experiencing the famous battle of Taierzhuang. From 1938 to 1942, Cheng Siyuan served as the Secretary of Bai Chongxi, the deputy chief of the general staff of the Military Commission of the national government. As a think-tank of the Guangxi Clique, Cheng Siyuan played an important role in forcing Chiang Kai Shek to "step down" twice by the "Guangxi Clique" in 1931 and 1948. Later, reality made Cheng Siyuan realize that the New Gui Clique could not realize his dream of saving the country. In 1949, Cheng Siyuan resigned from an important position in the Chinese Kuomintang and went to Hong Kong to serve as a columnist for the noon news and lived a stable life.

Change your mind

In 1956, Cheng Siyuan visited the northeast of the mainland and other places. When he saw that the ideal of that year was realized under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, he realized that the future of China needed the Communist Party of China, so he changed his previous view and firmly supported the Communist Party. After that, Cheng Siyuan accepted Premier Zhou Enlai's heavy trust and went to Beijing and Europe for many times. After experiencing adventure, he finally accompanied Li Zongren and his wife back to the motherland in July 1965 and settled in Beijing with Li Zongren. According to reports, Mao Zedong's first words when he saw Cheng Siyuan were: "I've heard a lot about him, like thunder in my ears." And asked him: "why do you call Cheng Siyuan?" Cheng then humorously replied: "because I think far, see the future, just returned to the socialist motherland." Mao Sui nicknamed Cheng "Jinzhi", meaning "close to the Communist Party of China".

Settle down in Beijing

In July 1965, Cheng Siyuan returned to Beijing with Li Zongren to settle down. Since then, Cheng Siyuan, as a non partisan, has been active in Chinese politics, becoming a busy social activist and state activist. later, he served as honorary president of the Chinese Association for the promotion of cultural exchanges for the elderly, vice chairman, secretary general and general consultant of China International Cultural Exchange Center, Deputy Secretary General of the fifth and sixth CPPCC National Committee, and vice chairman of the seventh CPPCC National Committee. In 1990, he served as president of the China Association for the promotion of peaceful reunification. In 1991, he was elected honorary president of the Association for the protection of the eight outer temples of the Chinese summer resort. in June 1992, he was elected president of the Association for the promotion of Chinese cultural exchanges and cooperation. In March 1993, he was elected vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress; in May, he was elected honorary chairman of the second Friends of China Research Foundation; in September, he was elected honorary president of China International Xufu Cultural Exchange Association and honorary chairman of the board of directors of Beijing Huangpu University; since November, he has been honorary president of China International Tea Culture Research Association; in December, he has been honorary president of China 1911 Revolution Research Association Chief. Since 1994, he has been honorary president of China Yellow River Cultural and Economic Development Research Association. Since October 1995, he has been the president of China International Association for the promotion of science and peace. In November, he has been the honorary president of China Local Art Association, the honorary chairman of Hangzhou University and the president of China Enterprise Culture Promotion Association. Since February 1996, he has been honorary president of Chinese painting and calligraphy collectors association. Since March 1996, he has been honorary vice chairman of the first China Tianhan foundation. In May 1997, he was elected honorary president of the first Council of China Overseas Friendship Association. In March 1998, he served as vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress. In June 1998, he was elected president of the Second Council of the Chinese Yanhuang Culture Research Association. In September 1998, he was elected president of the fourth council of the Taiwan Research Association. In July 1999, he was elected president of the Sixth China Association for promoting peaceful reunification. He is a member of the Standing Committee of the fifth and Sixth National Committee of the Chinese people's Political Consultative Conference, director of the proposal Committee of the Seventh National Committee of the Chinese people's Political Consultative Conference, deputy director of the Friendship Committee for the reunification of the motherland, member of the Standing Committee of the sixth National People's Congress, and deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Committee. in March 1999, he won the "Kentucky Crowe highest honor award" in the United States. In July 2000, Mr. Cheng Siyuan was invited to be the honorary president of Guangzhou Hualian University. He died in Beijing on July 28, 2005 at the age of 97.

personal works

He is the author of Jiang Li relationship and China, Mr. Li Zongren's later years, memories of politics, secret heart of Zhenghai, biography of Bai Chongxi and my memories.

Anecdotes of characters

Cheng Siyuan has a very elegant taste and hobbies. When he was in Beijing, he lived in the deep house where Shi Liang and Qian Changzhao lived. But the furniture and other things are very simple. The decoration of his home is mainly calligraphy, painting and flowers. Except one side of the study wall is used for lighting, the rest are all books. There are many fine brushes and seals on the bookcase, such as Mr. Li Zongren's evening book He wrote several million words in the form of stele of Wei Dynasty with Langhao. Every day, Cheng Siyuan has to find time to practice calligraphy. He has not only written a book, but also practiced the spirit of elixir, which can eliminate fatigue, improve intelligence and prolong life. Keep a moderate and regular life, go to bed early and get up early, don't eat too much and don't drink too much alcohol, which is one of Cheng Siyuan's ways to keep healthy. Cheng Siyuan said that when he was in Hong Kong in the 1940s, he had contact with Zhang Guotao. They played cards for fun, and sometimes they would not stop playing until late at night. At this time, a friend advised Cheng: "be careful to play with things and lose heart!" Since then, he has "abstained". Cheng Siyuan is a native of Guangxi. He usually likes meat and shrimp, followed by cheese and tremella, while vegetarians and vegetables are less. Although this diet is not reasonable, he uses "eat less and move more" to make up for it. Swimming is one of Cheng Siyuan's favorite sports. He likes to fight against water and waves in wide waters. Cheng Siyuan once swam with Chairman Mao. Chairman Mao praised him for "swimming well"! He said that he likes breaststroke best, because breaststroke in the head into the water when a spit a Na, just exercise the cardiopulmonary function, can prevent cardiopulmonary diseases. "The combination of movement and stillness" is Cheng Siyuan's way to keep healthy. Every day, in addition to jogging in the hospital, Cheng Siyuan stayed at home to read newspapers and magazines. He especially liked to read the twenty four histories, Zizhi Tongjian and other historical books. He believed that historical books, like mirror, made people wise. Optimism and humor are Cheng Siyuan's fitness magic weapon.

Social evaluation

Fear of trouble

"He is a man who is afraid to trouble others." Cheng Hua, the youngest daughter of Cheng Siyuan, talks about Cheng Siyuan's personality. Cheng Hua says, "he is a person who is very afraid of troubling others." Modest and approachable, is the consistent evaluation of all the people who think far in the process of contact. Cheng Zhiping said that Cheng Siyuan had long been qualified for secretaries and guards, but he repeatedly refused to accept them. He did so for two reasons: first, he wanted to save money for the country; second, he was used to being independent and liked to do everything by himself. After his wife died, Cheng Siyuan lived alone because his children were abroad. Worried about his safety, the family once arranged guards to accompany him in his room at night. However, Cheng Siyuan was worried that he would affect the guard's sleep. He insisted on taking care of his own life until he was hospitalized in 2002. Cheng Siyuan was very concerned about the difficulties encountered by patriotic overseas Chinese and Taiwan businessmen in their investment in the mainland. He reflected and coordinated relations in many ways. But Cheng Siyuan, who is in a high position, never greets or writes notes to the leaders of relevant departments because of his children's problems. Cheng Siyuan's biggest savings in his later years was a contribution of 300000 yuan, which was donated to the construction of a primary school in his hometown of Guangxi.

diligent

Li Zongren's return to China caused a sensation, but soon afterwards, Cheng Siyuan, who settled in Beijing, was unemployed. Cheng Hua, Cheng Siyuan's youngest daughter, said: "dad didn't have a job at that time, so he went to exercise and swim by himself. He didn't complain and waited in silence." In the 1970s, Cheng Siyuan came back gradually. His participation in the study group of the CPPCC is his first "political career" after many years of leisure. Second daughter Cheng Shanna said: "Dad cherishes this opportunity." At that time, the "Cultural Revolution" was rampant, but Cheng Siyuan insisted on the truth and was upright. After the end of the cultural revolution, Cheng Siyuan actively participated in the discussion of state affairs as a non party representative. He successively served as vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and became a busy social activist and state activist. He is extremely diligent in participating in state affairs activities and inspecting grassroots units. During the period of the Republic of China, Cheng

Chinese PinYin : Cheng Si Yuan