Hu Yaobang - Definition and Overview

Hu Yaobang (Chinese: 胡耀邦 Wade-Giles: Hu Yao-pang)(1915–April 15, 1989) was a leader of the People's Republic of China.

Joining the Communist Party of China in 1933, he held many positions in the party. He became an important political leader in the CPC after the Cultural Revolution.

As Deng Xiaoping gradually regained control over the CCP, Deng's rival Hua Guofeng was replaced by Zhao Ziyang as Premier of the People's Republic of China in 1980, and by Hu Yaobang as Party Chairman in 1981. Hu was also made General Secretary of the Communist Party of China in 1980 but, until the mid-1990s, it was Deng who was the most influential Chinese leader although his sole official title was that of chairman of the Communist Party's Central Military Commission.

Although Hu was a dedicated reformer and one of Deng Xiaoping's most important associates, he was later forced to resign in 1987 from his post as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China; Deng forced Hu to resign because Hu failed to control the student demonstrations in 1986.

Hu Yaobang passed away due to a heart attack two years later on April 15, 1989. His death helped spark the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

See also:

• Politics of China
• History of the People's Republic of China