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Li Dequan, an outstanding female political leader and social activist in the People's Republic of China, was once honored with a vice-national position and became the first Minister of Health. Her life was a model of dedication and leadership, not only promoting the establishment of many schools in China, cultivating countless talents, but also leading women's struggles during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, demonstrating outstanding leadership and patriotism. married Feng Yuxiang, an outstanding general, and experienced countless historical ups and downs together. With such an extraordinary life, how did she enter the political arena and become a female leader?
Li Dequan was born in 1896 into a working-class family in Tongzhou, Beijing. Her father was a coolie at the docks, and the family depended on his meager and precarious income for their livelihood. Despite the difficult living conditions, Li Dequan's family managed to give her a basic education, which was a luxury for a girl in the social context at that time.
Fortunately, Li Dequan had the opportunity to attend a church school that provided free education for children from poor families. This educational opportunity was a turning point in her life, and she cherished every moment of her learning time and completed her secondary education with flying colors. Later, through her own efforts, she was admitted to Peking Union Women's University and became a student who was highly regarded in terms of academic and leadership skills.
During her university years, Li Dequan not only excelled academically, but also was active in various campus activities, and her cheerful personality and excellent public speaking skills made her extremely influential among her classmates. She was eventually elected president of the student government, a position that provided her with more opportunities to practice her leadership skills.
In the 1920s, China was in turmoil, and the outbreak of the May Fourth Movement became a stage for young students to show their patriotic enthusiasm. As a student leader, Li Dequan actively responded to this movement and led her classmates to devote themselves to this wave of history. Her speeches on the streets and the rallies she organized not only expressed concern for the future of the country, but also called on the Beiyang government to protect the country's sovereignty and the rights of its people. This experience profoundly shaped Li Dequan's political outlook and public career, and laid the foundation for her later active career in the political arena.
In 1921, Lee assumed key leadership positions at the YMCA, and through this platform, she met many like-minded friends, including Song Faxiang and his wife, Chen Endian. These interactions deepened her passion for education and public welfare.
By 1923, Li Dequan, who was already 28 years old, was healthy and simple, with a tanned face and an ordinary appearance. Despite living in a society that traditionally values marriage, her relatives and friends are very concerned about her marriage and are looking for a suitable partner for her. But she was concerned about the development of the country's education, and she politely refused those noble sons who came to visit with marriage.
At that time, Feng Yuxiang was the army inspector in Beijing, and his wife was deceased, leaving him alone with the double burden of raising children and military duties. His status and military power put his personal life in the spotlight, and his desire to rebuild his family was all the more complicated.
In 1924, Li Dequan married Feng Yuxiang, which not only marked a major turning point in her personal life, but also opened a new chapter in her public sphere. As the spouse of an Army Inspector, Li Dequan not only continued to contribute to the cause of society and education, but also played a vital role in Feng Yuxiang's life and became his strong supporter.
This marriage proves that Li Dequan and Feng Yuxiang, guided by their shared values and goals in life, not only strengthened their family, but also played an active role in the future construction of the country. As time passed, Li Dequan's influence in the field of women's liberation movement and national education reform grew, and her career and personal achievements reached new heights.
In 1925, Feng Yuxiang was forced to leave politics and retreat to Zhangjiakou due to political pressure on Qirui and Zhang Zuolin. During this time, Feng Yuxiang met Li Dazhao, and through him, Feng Yuxiang first came into contact with Marxist theory and the political system of the Soviet Union. Under the influence of Li Dazhao, he decided to personally visit the Soviet Union to understand its social structure and policy practices. As his partner, Li Dequan also accompanied her, and the trip had a profound impact on her thinking and subsequent activities.
During his time in the Soviet Union, Li Dequan deeply observed and experienced the achievements of Marxism-Leninism in actual operation. She paid special attention to the status and living conditions of women in the Soviet Union, which was a great expansion of her horizons and ideas. In the Soviet Union, women not only enjoyed the right to vote and work, but also were equal to men in education and career choices, in contrast to her experience in China.
Li Dequan saw the emancipation of Soviet women brought about by the reform of education and social systems, and she began to think about how to introduce these progressive ideas into China to improve the situation of Chinese women. She recognized that the emancipation of Chinese women is not only about access to education, but also about equal rights in society and family.
This trip to the Soviet Union deepened Li Dequan's understanding of the necessity of women's emancipation, and she became more determined to devote herself to the cause of women's education and the promotion of rights after returning to China. She used her influence in political and social activities to advocate for women's education and promote gender equality policies, in an effort to create a fairer and more open social environment in China, so that Chinese women could achieve real social status and personal development like Soviet women. These efforts gradually manifested themselves in her subsequent political and social activities, and became the core content of her lifelong advocacy.
When the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression broke out in an all-round way, Li Dequan's patriotic fervor was undoubtedly revealed. She felt a deep sense of sympathy and responsibility in the face of the devastation caused by the war, especially the displacement of countless orphans. In response to the country's call, Li Dequan and Song Meiling and other celebrities jointly founded the "War Child Care Association", focusing on providing shelter, education and psychological comfort for children affected by the war.
During this period, Li Dequan not only paid attention to the rescue of orphans, but also expanded her influence, bringing together a wide range of social resources and the strength of women from all walks of life. She led and promoted a number of activities aimed at supporting anti-Japanese military operations on the front lines, while also working on the protection of people's livelihoods in the rear. Through organizing fundraising, material donations, and volunteer services, Li Dequan greatly enhanced the anti-Japanese atmosphere in China.
Furthermore, Li Dequan also actively participated in the front-line medical rescue work, and went to the war zone from time to time to personally participate in the treatment of the wounded and the health and epidemic prevention work. Her actions not only boosted the morale of the soldiers and civilians in the war of resistance, but also significantly increased the people's confidence in the victory of the war.
Through these efforts, Li Dequan not only made significant contributions to society during the war, but also set an example of the role that female leaders can play in times of national crisis. Her selfless dedication and strong leadership laid a solid foundation for her political career after the founding of the People's Republic of China.
As the Liberation War entered its final stage, the Kuomintang army was defeated in the face of the fierce offensive of the People's Liberation Army. In March 1949, Li Dequan was invited to participate in the first National Women's Congress held in New China, which was a landmark event aimed at commending and elevating the status of women in social and political life.
At the congress, Li Dequan not only attended as a delegate, but was also elected vice chairman of the All-China Democratic Women's Federation. Her election reflects her years of outstanding contributions to the advancement of women's rights, education, and social services. This position not only gives her greater responsibility, but also provides a broader platform to advocate for and implement the advancement of women's rights.
During his tenure, Li Dequan actively promoted a series of legislative and policy reforms on women's rights. She is particularly focused on improving women's equal rights in education, health care and the workplace, working to eliminate gender disparities and increase women's participation in nation-building. Her work is not limited to urban areas, but also extends to rural areas, promoting self-improvement and economic independence for women at the grassroots level.
Li Dequan has also organized a number of national training and education programs aimed at improving women's vocational skills and legal awareness. The Federation under her leadership has become an important force for women's voices and social change. Through these efforts, she not only left a deep mark on the women's liberation movement, but also laid the cornerstone for social development and gender equality in New China.
In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in the face of the dilapidated medical system and the severe health challenges left by the war, Li Dequan resolutely took on the important task of the newly established Ministry of Health. In the vast expanse of China, infectious diseases are raging like ghosts, not only claiming thousands of lives every year, but also seriously threatening the survival of countless babies. Especially in rural areas, due to the lack of medical resources and public health awareness, diseases are often rampant.
At the beginning of his tenure, Li Dequan made clear the policy of giving priority to improving the national health and epidemic prevention system. She has pushed for a series of health reforms, including the establishment of a nationwide vaccination programme and universal access to basic health education. In just two years, from 1950 to 1951, the Ministry of Health under her leadership successfully controlled a number of large-scale outbreaks of infectious diseases, greatly reducing the threat of diseases to people's health.
Li Dequan attaches great importance to improving the level of medical care in rural areas. She advocated the establishment of health clinics in towns and villages across the country, and sent medical teams to rural areas to conduct health check-ups and disease prevention work. As a result of these efforts, more and more rural residents have begun to enjoy basic health care.
Under Li Dequan's leadership, the Ministry of Health not only achieved the initial goal of disease prevention and control, but also greatly improved the people's health awareness and quality of life, laying a solid foundation for the economic development and social stability of New China. During her 15 years as Minister of Health, she continued to promote the progress of the country's health until 1964, when her contributions and experience were further recognized and she was elected Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), one of the vice-national leaders.
Li Dequan's firm decision-making and selfless dedication have not only made her an important figure in the history of China's health, but also left a valuable legacy for the long-term development of the country.
Feng Hongda, as a descendant of Li Dequan and Feng Yuxiang, inherited their outstanding talents and patriotic spirit. His education and career were marked by significant achievements in the Soviet Union, especially during his studies at Leningrad University, where he focused on seamanship and naval strategy, which laid a solid foundation for his later career.
After returning to China, Feng Hongda devoted himself to the construction of New China, especially in the naval field, and his expertise was fully utilized. In addition to serving as Deputy Chief of Navigation Assurance at the Naval Command, he also played a key leadership role in several major naval projects. Thanks to his efforts, the Chinese Navy's navigation safety and technical capabilities have been significantly improved.
In 1988, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the cause of the Navy, Feng Hongda was awarded the rank of Rear Admiral. This honor is not only a recognition of his personal abilities, but also an affirmation of his long service and sacrifice. His military career and technical expertise have had a profound impact on the modernization and defense security of the Chinese Navy.
Sadly, Feng Hongda passed away in July 1993 due to illness. Although his life's journey ended here, his professional achievements and contributions to the country are still widely remembered and revered. Feng Hongda's life was not only the inheritance of his parents' legacy, but also a great contribution to the development of the Chinese Navy. His story has inspired generations of Chinese military personnel to continue to work for the security and prosperity of the country.