Song Shilun (Chinese: 宋时轮; pinyin: Sòng Shílún; Wade–Giles: Sung Shih-lun; 1907–1991), né Song Jiyao (宋际尧, named from Chinese legendary King Yao), alternative name Song Zhiguang (宋之光), was a general of the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China. Song had graduated from Whampoa Military Academy and participated in the Long March, Anti-Japanese war, Chinese Civil War and Korean War, respectively. He died September 17, 1991, in Shanghai.

Song Shilun
宋时轮
Song in 1955
President of the PLA Academy of Military Sciences
In office
October 1972 – November 1985
Preceded byYe Jianying
Succeeded byZheng Wenhan [zh]
Personal details
Born(1907-09-01)September 1, 1907
Liling County, Hunan, Qing China
DiedSeptember 17, 1991(1991-09-17) (aged 84)
Shanghai, China
Political partyChinese Communist Party
SpouseZheng Xiaocun
Alma materRepublic of China Military Academy
Military service
Allegiance People's Republic of China
Branch/service
Years of service1919–1969
Rank General
Battles/wars
Awards
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese

Korean War edit

During the Korean War, Song commanded the People's Volunteer Army 9th Army. His armies fought against the US Army 31st Regimental Combat Team and the 1st Marine Division at the Chosin Reservoir in November–December 1950.[1]

Reaction to the government's response to the Tiananmen Square protests edit

During the Tiananmen Square protests of spring 1989, Song joined former minister of defense Zhang Aiping and five other retired generals in opposing the enforcement of martial law by the Army in Beijing.

Due to the exigent circumstances, we as old soldiers, make the following request: Since the People's Army belongs to the people, it cannot stand against the people, much less kill the people, and must not be permitted to fire on the people and cause bloodshed; to prevent the situation from escalating, the Army must not enter the city.

— Ye Fei, Zhang Aiping, Xiao Ke, Yang Dezhi, Chen Zaidao, Song Shilun and Li Jukui, May 21, 1989 letter to the Central Military Commission and Capital Martial Law Command Headquarters[2][unreliable source?]

Notes edit

Military offices
Preceded by President of the PLA Academy of Military Sciences
1972–1985
Succeeded by