Zhao Ziyang: Former Chinese Premier Purged After Tiananmen Dies at 85

Zhao Ziyang was a Chinese Communist Party leader who served as premier and general secretary. Born on October 17, 1919, in Hua County, Henan, he rose through provincial leadership in Guangdong and Sichuan.

As premier from 1980 to 1987 and party general secretary from 1987 to 1989, Zhao was a principal architect of China's market-oriented reforms. He sympathized with the student protesters at Tiananmen Square in 1989 and opposed martial law, which led to his removal from power.

Zhao spent about fifteen years under house arrest in Beijing. He died there on January 17, 2005, at age 85, after a stroke. He married Liang Boqi in 1944 and had five children.

Achievements: Premier of China (1980-1987), General Secretary of the Communist Party (1987-1989).

Birth: October 17, 1919 - Hua County, Henan, China.

Profession: Politician.

Interesting Facts: He was a golf enthusiast credited with reviving the sport on the mainland.