The Unknown Standard-Bearer of the Three Red Banners: Peng Zhen’s Roles in the Great Leap Forward

Abstract

As a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo, second-in-command of the Central Secretariat and Party secretary of Beijing Municipality, Peng Zhen was trusted by Mao Zedong and exerted power and influence over Chinese politics during the period before the Cultural Revolution. However, the significance of his role in the Great Leap Forward has been underestimated and misunderstood. This article investigates Peng’s active leadership in major policies, including the mass steel-making campaign, the Anti-Right-Opportunist campaign and the people’s commune movement. Through examination of Peng Zhen’s role, this article endeavors to provide new insights into leadership politics at the time.