Lin Piao

Lin Piao (1908–71), Chinese communist general and politician. A leader in the Long March (1934–35), he was crucial in the final defeat of Chiang Kai-shek by his capture of Manchuria in 1948. Minister of defense from 1959, he was a leader of the Cultural Revolution (1965–69). In 1969 he was designated the successsor of Mao Zedong. He died mysteriously in an air crash.

See also: China.