Gold Reserves Transfer
Orders Central Bank gold reserves transferred toward Taiwan as the Nationalist government prepares for possible loss of the mainland.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1949 in China
Explore 60 historical events and records for China in 1949.
Historical records for China in 1949
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 60 unique records.
60Unique records
1 of 2Page
33Named events on this page
7Named people on this page
15Places on this page
January
Presidential Resignation
Announces his resignation as President after severe Nationalist defeats, while retaining leadership of the Kuomintang.
Capture of Beijing
Peking surrenders to the Communists
Capture of Beijing
Communist forces enter Beiping after the Nationalist garrison accepts a negotiated surrender.
April
Capture of River Yangtze
Communist forces cross the Yangtze River after peace negotiations fail, opening the final drive into Nationalist-held southern China.
Capture of River Yangtze
The Communists cross the River Yangtze
Capture of Nangking
The Communists capture Nanking
KMT Government Liaison
Acts as liaison between the Kuomintang and government while continuing to influence Nationalist strategy after leaving the presidency.
Capture of Nanjing
Communist forces capture Nanjing, ending Nationalist control of the former capital.
May
Siege of Shanghai
Communist forces begin the final campaign for Shanghai, one of the last major Nationalist strongholds on the mainland coast.
Capture of Changshah
The Communists capture Changshah
Capture of Changteh
The Communists capture Changteh
Capture of Fuchow
The Communists capture Fuchow
Capture of Sian
The Communists capture Sian, this enables the PLA to turn westward
Capture of Shanghai
The Communists capture Shanghai & seal Chiangs defeat in the Civil War
Capture of Shanghai
Communist forces capture Shanghai after heavy fighting, removing the Nationalists from China’s largest city.
Mobilization
Sets up the Northeast Military Region
June
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with Any foreign Government
Announces he is willing to establish diplomatic relations with any foreign Government
July
Alliance China and Russia
Says the world is divided into imperialism & socialism & China should ally with Russia
August
Alliance United States and Nationalist China
The United States publishes its China White Paper amid declining confidence in the Nationalist mainland war effort.
Constitution of China
Announces the establishment of the ManchurianPeoples Government
September
Chairman
Appointed Chairman of the Peoples Republic of China
Chairman
Appointed Chairman of the Peoples Republic of China
Constitution of China
Proclaims the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China
First CPPCC Session
Participates in the opening of the first Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Foreign Secretary of China
Appointed Foreign Minister
Prime Minister of China
Appointed Prime Minister of the Peoples Republic of China
October
Appointment as Foreign Minister
Takes responsibility for the new government's foreign ministry while also serving as premier.
Appointment as Premier
Becomes the first premier of the People's Republic of China when the new central government is established.
Constitution of China
Stands at the Forbidden City & proclaims, "The Chinese people have stood up". Proclaims the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China in Tiananmen Square
Declaration of Republic
Mao Zedong proclaims the People’s Republic of China in Beijing while Chiang’s Nationalist government continues retreating south.
Independence of China
Russia gives immediate recognition to the Peoples Republic of China
Peace Mediation at Beijing
Russia gives immediate recognition to the Peoples Republic of China
Battle of Kuningtou
Nationalist forces defeat a Communist landing attempt at Kuningtou on Kinmen, preserving ROC control of the offshore island.
Minister of Finance
Appointed Minister of Finance
November
Battle of Huai-Hai
Yu-Ming opens the invasion route to Nanking & Shanghai after victory at Huai-Hai. Decisive Battle of the war. Communist victory over the Nationalists
Foreign Ministry Organisation
Builds the institutions and operating principles of the new People's Republic's diplomatic service.
Siege of Nanking
Yu-Ming opens the invasion route to Nanking & Shanghai after victory at Huai-Hai
Siege of Shanghai
Yu-Ming opens the invasion route to Nanking & Shanghai after victory at Huai-Hai
December
Exile of Chiang Kai-Shek
The Republic of China central government relocates to Taipei as Communist victory on the mainland becomes irreversible.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.