CONFIDENTIAL
LI XIANNIAN
President of the PRC. Member of the Standing Committee
of the Politburo.
1. Born in 1909 in the foothills of the Dabie Mountains
As a child, apprenticed to a
in Hubei Province.
carpenter.
Army political commissioner on Long March.
Li is a full general. He was previously a senior
guerilla leader and a divisional commander. He continues
to have influence among military leaders.
2. For many years, especially after the Cultural
Revolution, he was one of the key economic officials in
China. He worked closely with Zhou Enlai and was
associated with his pragmatic line on economic
developments. He gradually withdrew from economic
policy-making and resigned as Vice Premier in 1980. He
then concentrated on Party matters and the development of
international relations.
3. He was appointed President in 1983. Although the
post of Head of State carries less political authority
than the top Party or Government posts, the prestige
which it carries means it is occupied by a senior leader
of distinction. Li has excellent credentials as a
veteran of the Long March, a long-term confidante of
FC6AAM
CONFIDENTIAL