Zhou Baozhong (Chinese: 周保中; pinyin: Zhōu Bǎozhōng; 1902–1964) was a commander of the 88th Separate Rifle Brigade and Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army resisting the pacification of Manchukuo by the Empire of Japan.

At the end of 1928, Zhou entered the special class of Communist University of the Toilers of the East in the Soviet Union to study military affairs, where his classmate was future Marshal of China Ye Jianying.

[8][9] In 1940, the unit withdrew into the Soviet Union for training, after suffering from massive losses due to Japanese retaliatory attacks.

During this time, he met and became acquainted with future leader of North Korea Kim Il Sung, who also served in Zhou's unit.

In February 1942, Zhou Baozhong and Zhao Shangzhi returned to the Northeast Second Route Army headquarters from Soviet Union.

[12] In August 1945, following the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, Zhou led his troops in cooperating with the Red Army's march into the Northeast China.

On August 11, Zhou summoned troops to board the ship according to a predetermined plan and arrived in Heilongjiang to return home.

On April 14, 1946, part of the main force of the Northeast Democratic Alliance Army, together with the Jilin Military Region, was divided into three columns under the command of Zhou to attack the Kuomintang units in Changchun.

[16][17] In September 1949, Zhou Baozhong served as commander-in-chief and political commissar of the Northeast People’s Self-Defense Army, deputy commander-in-chief of the Northeast Democratic Alliance Army and commander of the Dongman Military Region, chairman of the Jilin Provincial Government, deputy commander of the Northeast Military Region of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and commander of the Jilin Military Region.

At hospital, he was visited by Liu Shaoqi and Premier of China Zhou Enlai who urged him to recover well and not rush to take office.

[19][20] In 1954, due to severe heart failure and the recurrence of gallstones, the Central Government decided that Zhou would be recuperating in Beijing from August 1954.

During this time, North Korean leader Kim Il Sung met Zhou at the Summer Palace.

[19][21] In April 1956, he was elected as a representative of the Second National People's Congress and a member of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission.

An investigation by the Wall Street Journal revealed that businesses connected to the Zhou's family helped enrich North Korea with its national income that contributed to its weapons development.

Business records, official media reports and interviews connect Zhou's family with North Korean industries including mining, trade and consumer goods.

[23] The Zhou Baozhong Memorial Hall was built in his hometown of Wanqiao village in Dali City, Yunnan.

[25][26] In the 2015 Chinese TV series Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, he was played by actor Guanghui Shi.