Hu Yaobang, << hoo yow bahng >> (1915-1989), also spelled Hu Yao-pang, was head of China’s Communist Party from 1981 to 1987. The party controls China’s government. At the time, however, China’s most powerful leader was Deng Xiaoping (see Deng Xiaoping).
Hu Yaobang was born in November 1915 in Hunan Province. He joined the Communist Party in 1933. In the 1940’s, Hu served in the political department of China’s rebel Communist army and became a friend of Deng. Hu became head of the Communist Youth League in 1952. He was removed from office during China’s Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). In 1973, Hu became an aide to Deng, then one of China’s top leaders. In 1976, Deng and his associates, including Hu, were stripped of power.
Deng returned to power in 1977 and soon became China’s top leader. He used his influence to help Hu move up in Communist Party ranks. In 1981, Hu, then general secretary, was also appointed chairman, the party’s highest post. In 1982, the party abolished the position of chairman and made the general secretary the top leader. Hu remained general secretary. In January 1987, he was removed from office. Conservative leaders had criticized Hu for his liberal views on freedom of expression. These views made Hu popular with citizens who wanted increased freedom. Hu’s death on April 15, 1989, helped trigger protests for more freedom. Hundreds of protesters were killed by the Chinese military (see China (Protests); Tiananmen Square protests of 1989).
