Yan Xishan (8 October 1883–23 May 1960, courtesy name Bochuan), was a warlord of Shanxi Province and an important official in the government of the Republic of China. Born in Wutai County (Shanxi Province), he enrolled in the Military School of Shanxi Province in 1902. In 1904, he went to study in Japan, and in October of 1905, he joined the United League. He returned to China in 1909. After the Revolution of 1911 broke out, Yan led the uprising of the New Army of Shanxi Province, occupied the governor’s office, and became the new Governor of the province. He then subordinated himself to Yuan Shikai, Duan Qirui, and other leaders, controlling and administering Shanxi Province for a long period. After the 12 April Coup in 1927, he conducted purges against communists. In August of 1930, he escaped to Dalian after he and the warlord Feng Yuxiang failed in opposing Chiang Kai-shek. When the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out, he was appointed Commander of the Second Combat Zone, and in September of 1937, he launched the Xinkou Campaign, which dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese army. In the “Jinxi Incident” of December 1939, he launched attacks against the Anti-Japanese Commando Corps and the Eighth Route Army. After the end of Second Sino-Japanese War, he took part in the Chinese Civil War. In 1947, he was the Director of the Taiyuan Office of Appeasement and the Chairman of Shanxi Province, and in December of 1949, he flew to Taiwan. From March 1950, he served as Senior Adviser of the Presidential Palace of the Taiwan administration.
