Wang Dongxing | |
|---|---|
| 汪东兴 | |
 Wang Dongxing in 1955, as chief of Mao's personal security force | |
| Vice Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party | |
| In office August 1977 – February 1980 | |
| Chairman | Hua Guofeng |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 January 1916 Yiyang County, Jiangxi, China |
| Died | 21 August 2015 (aged 99) Beijing, China |
| Political party | Chinese Communist Party |
Wang Dongxing (Chinese: 汪东兴; Wade–Giles: Wang Tung-hsing; 9 January 1916 – 21 August 2015) was a Chinese military commander and politician, famous for being the chief of Mao Zedong's personal bodyguard force, the 9th Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security (which included the 8341 Special Regiment). Wang held many important positions, both in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the government; he was Deputy Minister of Public Security in 1955–1958 and again in 1960–1970 and notably served as CCP Vice Chairman from 1977 to 1980, under Chairman Hua Guofeng.
Wang and his trusted security force played a very significant role in ending the Cultural Revolution by arresting the Gang of Four;[1] however, Wang opposed Deng Xiaoping's proposed changes in economic policy, remaining loyal to Hua Guofeng and the continuation of the Maoist political line. As a result, when Deng consolidated power, he removed Wang from his government and Party posts, but did not harm him any further.[1]
- ^ a b Wang Dongxing obituary: Politician who was bodyguard to China’s former leader, Mao Zedong The Guardian, 27 August 2015