A List of Cadres to Be Protected was a roster of prominent individuals compiled by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in 1966 to ensure their safety during the Cultural Revolution. The list received approval from Chairman Mao Zedong.
Background On the night of 29 August 1966, the New Peking University Red Guards ransacked Zhang Shizhao's residence in Beijing. Early in the morning on 30 August, Zhang wrote a letter to Mao Zedong. Mao issued a directive: "Forward this to the Premier for appropriate action; he should be protected." Zhou Enlai severely criticised those involved, ordered the immediate return of all confiscated books, and assigned personnel to safeguard Zhang Shizhao's home. Additionally, Zhou began drafting the list of the cadres to be protected at that time.关于保护干部的若干文电，周恩来选集·下卷，北京：人民出版社，1984年，第450页 On 1 September, Zhou further instructed the 301 Hospital to prepare for the admission and protection of Zhang Shizhao, Cheng Qian, Fu Zuoyi, Cai Tingkai, Li Zongren, and others. The list was created in part as a response to the murder of scientist Yao Tongbin.
List of protected people The list of individuals designated for protection included: Soong Ching-ling, Guo Moruo, Zhang Shizhao, Cheng Qian, He Xiangning, Fu Zuoyi, Zhang Zhizhong, Shao Lizi, Jiang Guangnai, Cai Tingkai, Sha Qianli, and Zhang Xiruo.
In addition, positions specified for protection were:
Vice chairpersons and members of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, as well as the vice president of the State; Ministers and vice ministers of various ministries under the State Council of the People's Republic of China; Vice chairpersons of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Vice premiers of the State Council; Leaders of various democratic parties; President of the Supreme People's Court and Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
Li Zongren was later added to the list.
Protected by name Party Name Image Political position NoteSoong Ching-lingVice president of ChinaMadame Sun Yat-senGuo MoruoDeputy chair of National People's Congress Standing CommitteeZhang ShizhaoMember of National People's Congress Standing CommitteeFacilitated Communist take-overs of Beijing and HunanCheng Qian Deputy chair of National People's Congress Standing Committee Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Vice Chairperson of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese KuomintangFacilitated Communist take-overs of HunanHe Xiangning Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Chairperson of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese KuomintangMadame Liao ZhongkaiFu Zuoyi Minister of Water Resources and Electric Power of the People's Republic of China Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Vice Chairperson of the National Defence Commission of the People's Republic of China Deputy to the National People's CongressFacilitated Communist take-overs of BeijingZhang Zhizhong Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Member of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese KuomintangFacilitated Communist take-overs of BeijingShao Lizi Member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Standing Committee Member of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese KuomintangFacilitated Communist take-overs of BeijingJiang Guangnai Minister of the Ministry of Textile Industry of the People's Republic of China Deputy to the National People's Congress Standing Committee Member of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese KuomintangLeader of Fujian People's GovernmentCai Tingkai First Vice Chairman of the Sports Commission of the People's Republic of China Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Member of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese KuomintangLeader of Fujian People's GovernmentSha Qianli Minister of Grain of the People's Republic of China Deputy to the National People's Congress Standing Committee Member of the Central Committee of the China Democratic National Construction Association Vice Chairman of the executive committee of the All-China Federation of Industry and CommerceZhang Xiruo Director of the Cultural Relations Committee of the People's Republic of China Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Deputy to the National People's CongressLi ZongrenNoneFormer president of the Republic of China
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