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Eight Immortals of Communist China Wikipedia

The Eight Immortals were a group of elderly members of the Communist Party of China who held substantial power during the 1980s and 1990s. In Chinese language|Chinese, however, they are called instead the Eight Great Eminent Officials (八大元老 in pinyin: bā d? yu?n lǎo), abbreviated as the Eight Elders (八老 bā lǎo). By 2000 most of the Immortals had died.

The name originated in the 1990s and is an allusion to the Eight Immortals|Taoist deities by the same name.

The identities of seven of the Immortals are clear:

• Deng Xiaoping, "Paramount Leader", Central Military Commission Chairman 1980–1989, Central Advisory Commission chairman 1982–1987

• Chen Yun, Central Advisory Committee Chairman 1987–1992

• Peng Zhen, National People's Congress Chairman 1983–1988

• Yang Shangkun, President of the PRC 1988–1993.

• Bo Yibo, Central Advisory Committee Vice Chairman

• Li Xiannian, President of the PRC 1983–1988, then Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference chairman

• Wang Zhen, Central Advisory Committee Vice Chairman

There is less certainty about the identity of the eighth Immortal:

• Song Renqiong, CAC Vice Chairman

• Deng Yingchao, CPPCC Chairwoman 1983–1988, widow of Zhou Enlai

• less commonly Wan Li, National People's Congress Chairman 1988–1993

• less commonly Xi Zhongxun, State Councillor

As of 2005, Wan Li and Bo Yibo are the only immortals still alive.

Some descendants of the Immortals constitute a group now known as the "Crown Prince Party".

See also: People's Republic of China, Politics of the People's Republic of China

Last Modified:   2005-04-13