He was born in Chaling County, Zhuzhou, Hunan Province.
He was chairman (1935-1937) of the communist base (Soviet) on the border of Hunan and Jiangxi Provinces.
He once intervened to save the life of Hu Yaobang.
He was a delegate to the 3rd (1964-1975) and 4th (1975-1978) National People's Congress and a member of the Standing Committee for the 5th (1978-1983) National People's Congress.
He was a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.