Lin Biao

views updated May 11 2018

Lin Biao (1907–71) Chinese communist general and political leader. He defeated Chiang Kai-shek in Manchuria (1948), thus helping to secure the victory of the communists in 1949. Lin was a leader of the Cultural Revolution (1966–69), and compiled the book of quotations from Mao Zedong known as the Little Red Book. He was designated Mao's heir in 1969 but, after disagreements with Mao, was said to have died in an accident while fleeing to the Soviet Union.