- Tian Bao
Tian Bao (Chinese: 天宝;
Pinyin : Tiān Bǎo; February1917 -February 21 ,2008 ) was a Chinese government official. Tian was one of the firstethnic Tibetans to embrace the concept ofCommunism and joinMao Zedong 's army. cite news |first=|last=|title=Early Tibetan Communist who joined Mao's army dies |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/26/asia/AS-GEN-China-Obit-Tibet-Communist.php|work=Associated Press |publisher=International Herald Tribune |date=2008-02-26 |accessdate=2008-03-16] Mao's army, and thePeople's Republic of China , later entered Tibet in 1951.Biography
Tian Bao was born as Sangye Yeshi in
Kham , a traditionally eastern region ofTibet which is now part of theChinese province ofSichuan .Tian first encountered Mao Zedong's army in 1935 as it pushed through
western China when he was eighteen years old. Mao was trying to escapeKuomintang government forces at the time. Tian joined Mao's army and became one of the few ethnic Tibetans who participated in theLong March , a retreat byChinese Communist forces intonorthern China in 1935.Tian later held senior positions in the
government andChinese Communist Party of Tibet and Sichuan following the Communist victory in theChinese Civil War and the 1951 occupation of Tibet. Tian was appointed thedeputy secretary of the Tibetan regional Communist Party after its establishment in 1965. This was considered to be a high profile post for an ethnic Tibetan at the time.Tian Bao died on
February 21 ,2008 , at the age of 92 in the city ofChengdu ,Sichuan ,PR China . Officials said he died of an unspecified illness, but gave no further details.He was an alternate member of 8th Central Committee of CPC, and a full member of 9th to 11th Central Committees; A member of 12th and 13th
Central Advisory Commission ; a deputy to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5thNational People's Congress ; a standing committee member of 1st CPPCC. [zh [http://www.sc.xinhuanet.com/content/2008-02/26/content_12539890.htm Former Secretary of CPC Sichuan Committee, Tian Bao, Died, at Age of 92] sc.xinhuanet.com]References
External links
*zh [http://info.tibet.cn/focus2008/2008jntb/szzy/200804/t20080402_374589.htm Tian Bao and Tibet]
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