Li Zhen (Minister of Public Security)

In this Chinese name, the family name is Li.

Li Zhen (Chinese: 李震; pinyin: Lǐ Zhèn; December 1914 – October 22, 1973) was a military general and government official of the People's Republic of China.^[1]

Li Zhen
李震
Minister of Public Security
In office 22 June 1970 – 21 October 1973
Premier	Zhou Enlai
Preceded by	Xie Fuzhi
Succeeded by	Hua Guofeng
Personal details
Born	December 1914 Gaocheng, Hebei, China
Died	October 22, 1973(1973-10-22) (aged 58)
Political party	Chinese Communist Party

Biography

Li Zhen was born in Gaocheng, Hebei in 1914.^[1] He graduated from Tsinghua University with a degree in journalism. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in August 1937 and fought in the Second Sino-Japanese War and Chinese Civil War.^[1] He was awarded the rank of major general, in 1955.^[1]

During the Cultural Revolution, Li was promoted by his long-time superior, Xie Fuzhi.^[2] In September 1966, Li was appointed vice minister of the Ministry of Public Security, working closely with Xie.^[2]

He was promoted to Minister of Public Security in 1972, but committed suicide on October 22, 1973.^[2][3] The precise motive is unknown.