The Eight Immortals were a group of elderly members of the Communist Party of China who held substantial power during the 1980s and 1990s. In Chinese, however, they are called instead the Eight Great Eminent Officials (八大元老 in pinyin: bā dà yuán lǎo), abbreviated as the Eight Elders (八老 bā lǎo). By 2000 most of the Immortals had died.

The name originated in the 1990s and is an allusion to the Taoist deities by the same name.

The identities of seven of the Immortals are clear:

• Deng Xiaoping, "Paramount Leader", Central Military Commission Chairman 1980–1989, Central Advisory Commission chairman 1982–1987
• Chen Yun, Central Advisory Committee Chairman 1987–1992
• Peng Zhen, National People's Congress Chairman 1983–1988
• Yang Shangkun, President of the PRC 1988–1993.
• Bo Yibo, Central Advisory Committee Vice Chairman
• Li Xiannian, President of the PRC 1983–1988, then Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference chairman
• Wang Zhen, Central Advisory Committee Vice Chairman

There is less certainty about the identity of the eighth Immortal:

• Song Renqiong, CAC Vice Chairman
• Deng Yingchao, CPPCC Chairwoman 1983–1988, widow of Zhou Enlai
• less commonly: Wan Li, National People's Congress Chairman 1988–1993
• less commonly: Xi Zhongxun, State Councillor

As of 2005, Wan Li and Bo Yibo are the only immortals still alive.

Some descendants of the Immortals constitute a group now known as the "Crown Prince Party".

See also: People's Republic of China, Politics of the People's Republic of China

External links

• AsiaWeek article