He survived and gained promotions during Chiang Kai-shek's Encirclement Campaigns during the early Chinese Civil War.

During the Korean War, Hong was the deputy commander and director of logistics of the People's Volunteer Army.

Hong was removed from his position in 1959 for his connections with marshal Peng Dehuai, who was dismissed from office for criticizing Mao Zedong’s economic policies during the Great Leap Forward.

He was rehabilitated in the early 1960s and made director of heavy industry of Jilin province, but was persecuted by Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution.

He joined the Central Military Commission and became the vice chairman of the 7th and 8th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committees.