Tibet campaign Zhang Guohua

zhang guohua 1950

as commander of southwest eighteenth army corps of people s liberation army, led main attack force in 1950 qamdo campaign against tibetan forces. zhang chosen special knowledge of tibetan culture; mao zedong did not want alienate tibetans , gave strict instructions united front work respecting local religion , customs. in contrast leader of northwest army, fan ming, supported dalai lama , avoided marching city after victory. zhang seized position of secretary of cpc tibet committee 1950 1952, until mao zedong, on learning of power struggle fan, replaced him zhang jingwu secretary. still, zhang headed tibet work committee, negotiate items in seventeen point agreement peaceful liberation of tibet. zhang made passing reference negotiations in memoirs. zhang resume position secretary 1965 1967.