Zhong Min

Zhong Min affiliated with the Chinese Youth League Against Imperialism in the summer of 1935 and subsequently joined the Chinese Communist Party in September 1936. During his formative years, he participated in the labor movement in Shanghai and thereafter undertook clandestine Party activities in northern Jiangsu.^[2]

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he occupied several pivotal roles: member of the CCP Jiangbei Special Committee, Secretary of the CCP Rugao County Committee, Secretary of the Nantong County Committee, Deputy Secretary and Head of Organization of the CCP's Fourth Sub-region of Central Jiangsu, deputy director of the Political Department of the Fourth Military Subdistrict of the New Fourth Army, and Director of the Organization Division and Acting Party School Secretary of the Central Jiangsu Party School. He also directed the Mass Work Department, significantly contributing to the mobilization of the public and the consolidation of local authority.^[3]

During the Chinese Civil War, he held the positions of Director of the Central Jiangsu Trade Union, Secretary of the First Sub-regional Committee in Central China, Political Commissar of the First Military Subdistrict of the Central China Military Region, and Political Commissar of the Northern Jiangsu Support Command. He played a pivotal role in coordinating logistical support and enhancing rear-area operations.^[4]

Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Zhong occupied several leadership positions: Member of the Standing Committee of the Southern Jiangsu Regional Party Committee, Secretary of the Wuxi Municipal Committee, Director of the Southern Jiangsu Federation of Trade Unions, and Director of the Labor Bureau.^[5] Beginning in 1952, he held positions as a Member of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, Vice Chairman, and subsequently Chairman of the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions, as well as Party Secretary. He additionally served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and occupied several leadership positions including industrial production and workers' education. In 1953, he was elected as a member of the executive committee of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, and in 1957, he ascended to the Presidium.^[6]

In 1961, he was designated Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Vice Governor, while also holding the position of Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Government's Party Group. He was the inaugural president of Shanghai Workers' University of Technology (presently referred to as Shanghai Polytechnic University). In 1964, he assumed the role of deputy director of the Political Department of the CCP's Central Committee on Industry and Transportation, and became a member of the Central Industry and Transport Party Committee as well as the Party Group of the State Economic Commission.^[7]

Zhong endured significant persecution during the Cultural Revolution. Following the dissolution of the Gang of Four, he recommenced his professional duties.^[8] In 1979, he held the positions of Member and Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Revolutionary Committee, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, and Head of the Party's Personnel Committee in Shanghai. Subsequent to relinquishing frontline command, he maintained his roles as Chair of the Preparatory Group for the Shanghai Municipal Advisory Committee, Chair of the Shanghai Local Chronicles Compilation Committee, and Principal of the Shanghai University for Senior Cadres.^[9]

Zhong Min served as a delegate to the 8th and 12th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, a deputy to the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th National People's Congress, Vice Chairman of the 7th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, and Director of the Shanghai Municipal Advisory Committee of the CCP.^[10] He died in Huadong Hospital in Shanghai on March 31, 1998, at the age of 88.^[11]