Li Dequan (Li Teh-Chuan ; 1896–1972) was the first Minister of Health of the

People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

from 1949 to 1965.

History

Li was born in Tong County,

Beijing Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...

. In her early years, she would take part in pro-democracy campaigns. Dequan later graduated from the Methodist Women's College and worked as a pastor's assistant at a Congregational church. She was married to Feng Yuxiang in 1924. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, she organized the Zhong guo zhan shi er tong bao yu hui ( 中国战时儿童保育会 1938–1946) and served as vice president. After the war, she founded All-China Women's Federation and became its chairman. In January 1948, she was elected central executive member of Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang. She joined the Chinese Communist Party in December 1958. She was elected to serve on the Executive Council of the Women's International Democratic Federation in 1948, and re-elected in 1953. After the formation of the People's Republic of China, Li was appointed the first Minister of Health of the PRC central government and she supported legalization of abortion. She also served as chairman of the Red Cross Society of China. Her other posts included vice chairman of the China-USSR Friendship Association, member of the Commission of Culture and Education of the State Council, vice chairman of the China National Sports Commission, and vice chairman of the China People's National Commission of Children Protection. Li also served as a standing committee member of 1st to 3rd Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and vice chairman of 4th CPPCC. She died in Beijing in 1972.

References

1896 births 1972 deaths People's Republic of China politicians from Beijing Members of the Kuomintang Republic of China politicians from Beijing Chinese Communist Party politicians from Beijing 20th-century Chinese women politicians Women government ministers of China All-China Women's Federation people Red Cross Society of China personnel Women's International Democratic Federation people Family of Feng Yuxiang {{china-politician-stub