Liu Shaoqi (Liu Shao-ch'i; 24 November 1898 - 12 November 1969) was a Chinese revolutionary; statesman; and theorist. He was Chairman of the People's Republic of China; China's head of state; from 27 April 1959 to 31 October 1968; during which he implemented policies of economic reconstruction in China. He fell out of favour in the later 1960s during the Cultural Revolution because of his perceived 'right-wing' viewpoints and; it is theorised; because Mao viewed Liu as a threat to his power. He disappeared from public life in 1968 and was labelled China's premier 'Capitalist-roader' and a traitor. He died under harsh treatment in late 1969; but he was posthumously rehabilitated by Deng Xiaoping's government in 1980 and given a state funeral.

Wang Guangmei (26 September 1921 - 13 October 2006) was a respected Chinese politician; philanthropist; and First Lady; the wife of Liu Shaoqi; who served as the President of the People's Republic from 1959-1968.