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 Communist Party of China (CPC) (official name) or Chinese Communist Party (CCP) (Simplified Chinese: 中国共产党; Traditional Chinese: 中國共産黨; Pinyin: Zhōngguó GòngchÇŽndÇŽng) is the ruling political party of the Peoples Republic of China. ... The 1980s decade refers to the years from 1980 to 1989, inclusive. ... The 1990s decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999, inclusive. ... Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: 汉语拼音; Traditional Chinese: 漢語拼音; Hanyu Pinyin: , lit. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

The name originated in the 1990s and is an allusion to the Taoist deities by the same name. The 1990s decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999, inclusive. ... Allusion is a stylistic device in which one implicitly references a related object or circumstance that has occurred or existed in an external context. ... The Eight Immortals crossing the sea, from Myths and Legends of China, 1922 by E. T. C. Werner. ...

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: Deng Xiaoping Deng Xiaoping (help· info) (Simplified Chinese: 邓小平; Traditional Chinese: 鄧小平; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Teng Hsiao-ping; August 22, 1904–February 19, 1997) was a leader in the Communist Party of China (CPC). ... The term Paramount Leader usually refers to someone who has supreme and unquestionable power. ... The Central Military Commission (Chinese: 中央军事委员会 pinyin: Zhōngyāng JÅ«nshì WÄ›iyuánhuì ) refers to one of two bodies within the Peoples Republic of China. ... Central Advisory Commission (中央顾问委员会 zhong1 yang1 gu4 wen4 wei3 yuan2 hui3) (CAC) of Peoples Republic of China provided political assistance and consultation to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中央委员会). ... Chen Yun (Simplified Chinese: 陈云; Traditional Chinese: 陳雲; Hanyu Pinyin: ) (June 13, 1905 – April 10, 1995) was one of the most influential leaders of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Central Advisory Commission (中央顾问委员会 zhong1 yang1 gu4 wen4 wei3 yuan2 hui3) (CAC) of Peoples Republic of China provided political assistance and consultation to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中央委员会). ... Peng Zhen (Chinese: 彭真; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Peng Chen) (October 12, 1902–April 26, 1997) was a leading member of the Communist Party of China. ... The Great Hall of the People, where the NPC convenes The National Peoples Congress (全国人民代表大会 in Pinyin: Quánguó Rénmín Dàibiǎo Dàhuì, literally Pan-Nation Congress of the Peoples Representatives), abbreviated PNCOTPR, is the highest legislative body in the Peoples Republic of China. ... Yáng ShàngkÅ«n (May 25, 1907–September 14, 1998) was President of the Peoples Republic of China from 1988 to 1993, and was permanent Vice-chair of the Central Military Commission. ... The President of the Peoples Republic of China (Chinese: 中华人民共和国主席 pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Zhŭxí) is the head of state of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Bo Yibo (Chinese: 薄一波; Pinyin: ) (born 1908), Chinese politician, one of the Eight Immortals of Communist China. ... Central Advisory Commission (中央顾问委员会 zhong1 yang1 gu4 wen4 wei3 yuan2 hui3) (CAC) of Peoples Republic of China provided political assistance and consultation to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中央委员会). ... Lǐ Xiānniàn (1902–June 21, 1992) was President of the Peoples Republic of China between 1983 and 1988 and then president of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference until his death. ... The President of the Peoples Republic of China (Chinese: 中华人民共和国主席 pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Zhŭxí) is the head of state of the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (中国人民政治协商会议 Pinyin: Zhongguo renmin zhengzhi xieshang huiyi), abbreviated CPPCC, is an advisory body in the Peoples Republic of China. ... Wáng ZhÄ“n (王禎), first Ming eunuch with much power, see Battle of Tumu Fortress. ... Central Advisory Commission (中央顾问委员会 zhong1 yang1 gu4 wen4 wei3 yuan2 hui3) (CAC) of Peoples Republic of China provided political assistance and consultation to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中央委员会). ...

• 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 2006, Bo Yibo is the only immortal still alive. Song Renqiong (宋任窮, 1909-January 8, 2005) was the vice-chairman of the Central Advisory Committee of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Central Advisory Commission (中央顾问委员会 zhong1 yang1 gu4 wen4 wei3 yuan2 hui3) (CAC) of Peoples Republic of China provided political assistance and consultation to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中央委员会). ... Deng Yingchao (邓颖超) (February 4, 1904 - July 11, 1992), was the Chairwoman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference from 1983 to 1988 and a member of the Communist Party of China. ... The Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (中国人民政治协商会议 Pinyin: Zhongguo renmin zhengzhi xieshang huiyi), abbreviated CPPCC, is an advisory body in the Peoples Republic of China. ... Zhou Enlai (Simplified Chinese: 周恩来; Traditional Chinese: 周恩來; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chou En-lai) (March 5, 1898 – January 8, 1976), a prominent Chinese Communist leader, was Premier of the Peoples Republic of China from 1949 until his death. ... Wan Li (Traditional Chinese: 萬里; Simplified Chinese: 万里) (1916 -) was the Chairman of the National Peoples Congress before his retirement in 1993, and was generally considered to be a moderate. ... The Great Hall of the People, where the NPC convenes The National Peoples Congress (全国人民代表大会 in Pinyin: Quánguó Rénmín Dàibiǎo Dàhuì, literally Pan-Nation Congress of the Peoples Representatives), abbreviated PNCOTPR, is the highest legislative body in the Peoples Republic of China. ... Xi Zhongxun (習仲勛, xí zhòng xÅ«n, 1913-May 24, 2002) was State Councilor of the Peoples Republic of China. ... 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bo Yibo (Chinese: 薄一波; Pinyin: ) (born 1908), Chinese politician, one of the Eight Immortals of Communist China. ...

Some descendants of the Immortals constitute a group now known as the "Crown Prince Party". Crown Prince Party (太子党 Pinyin: Tàizǐ Dǎng), or The Princelings, are the descendants (usually in the second-generation) of prominent and influential senior communists of the Peoples Republic of China. ...

See also: People's Republic of China, Politics of the People's Republic of China This article is on the politics of mainland China. ...

External links

• AsiaWeek article