The Memorial to Zhou Enlai and his wife Deng Yingchao in Tianjin, north China introduces Zhou's life and contributions. [Photo/mzhoudeng.com]

Nation's Liberation

As an influential figure in China's modern history, Zhou made tremendous contributions to the country and its Communist Party:

1. He was one of the leaders of the Nanchang Uprising, the first movement of the Communist Party of China to fight against the Kuomintang's rule;

2. He was one of the founders of the People's Army in 1927;

3. He promoted the formation of the anti-Japanese national united front by bringing together the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang to combat the invasion of Japan during WWII.

4. He assisted Mao Zedong in building the new China after 1949.