Cultural Revolution Group theorist beaten in the Wuhan incident
From Huai’an in Jiangsu, he joined the Communist Party in 1939 and worked as a reporter and editor in Shandong. He was propaganda adviser to the Vietnamese party in 1953–1955, worked on Red Flag and in 1963 became deputy head of the International Liaison Department; he was a lead author of the Nine Commentaries. A core member of the Cultural Revolution Group, he headed the propaganda leading group from January 1967. Sent to Wuhan in July as the centre’s envoy, he was seized and beaten by the Million Heroes and Unit 8201. After his speech of 7 August inciting rebels at the Foreign Ministry was followed by the burning of the British mission he was arrested; held in Qincheng prison from 1968 to 1982, he was expelled from the party in 1983. His memoirs are a major primary source.
Also known as: Wang Guangbin
Activities and affiliations
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1939–1983
Ideology and propaganda
- Member, Cultural Revolution Group; head of the propaganda leading group1966–1967
- Deputy head, International Liaison Department1963–1966Diplomacy and international organization
Career Timeline
- 1939Joined the Communist Party
- 1943Editor-in-chief of Struggle
- 1953–1955Propaganda adviser to the Vietnamese party
- 1958Joined Red Flag
- 1963Deputy head of the International Liaison Department; drafted the Nine Commentaries
- 1966Member of the Cultural Revolution Group
- 1967Head of the propaganda leading group; Wuhan incident; arrested in August
- 1968–1982Held in Qincheng prison
- 1983Expelled from the party