Chen Shaokuan

Chen Shaokuan (simplified Chinese: 陈绍宽; traditional Chinese: 陳紹寬; pinyin: Chén Shàokuān; October 7, 1889 – July 30, 1969) was a Chinese Fleet Admiral who served as the senior commander of Chinese naval forces of the National Revolutionary Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. He was relieved from duty by Jiang Jieshi in 1949 after unsuccessfully attempting to request for peaceful conclusions to conflicts during the Chinese Civil War and budget for building aircraft carriers for the Republic of China navy. Towards the end of the Civil War in April 1949, it was reported that Zhu Shaoliang asked Chen to retreat to Taiwan with the remnants of the Republic of China and Chen persistently refused his offer. He died in 1969 of stomach cancer.

Chen Shaokuan
陳紹寬
Chief of Navy in the Republic of China Navy
In office
1 January 1938 – 26 December 1945
Minister of Navy in the National Revolutionary Army
In office
1932–1938
Member of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China
In office
30 July 1969 – September 1954
Personal details
Born7 October 1889
Fujian, Qing Dynasty
Died30 July 1969(1969-07-30) (aged 79)
Fuzhou, Fujian,  China
Military service
Allegiance Qing dynasty (to 1911)
 Republic of China (to 1949)
 People's Republic of China
Rank Admiral

Early life and career

Chen Shaokuan was born on 7 October 1889 in Chengmen Village (now Chengmenzhen) in Min County, Fuzhou. Chen's father served in the Imperial Chinese Navy, originally having a career in carpenting. He took an interest to his father's occupation, attending the Jiangnan Naval Academy in Nanjing at the age of 17. At 20 years old he graduated from the academy and was assigned to the training cruiser Tongji, then in 1910 he served aboard the Jingqing. Rising up the ranks, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commader on the eve of World War I in 1914, now serving for the navy of the Republic of China.

World War I

Since China was mainly neutral during WW1, Chen had limited involvement in the war. In an event unrelated to the war, he was once again promoted, this time as a commander, now assigned to the Zhaohe. He witnessed naval combat for the first time after visiting the United States and United Kingdom onboard British warships despite the many dangers that he would have faced at the time. Chen also served as a naval attaché to France, Italy and the United Kingdom.


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