Yang Zhengming

His Excellency Yáng Zhēngmíng
杨征明
Yang Zhegming in 2005
Chairperson of the State Presidium of Auspicious Republic of Xiaodong
In office 18th October 2002 – 21st October 2009
Prime Minister	Han Guanzheng Yuan Xiannian
Preceded by	Wang Surong
Succeeded by	Jiang Zhongyu
Constituency	Ke'qian
7th First Minister of Xiaodong
In office 9th June 1990 – 15th October 1999
President	Liu Jingyao Wang Surong
Deputy	Luo Wenjing
Preceded by	Qian Xingwen
Succeeded by	Han Guanzheng
Chairman of the Xiaodong Regeneration Society
In office 9th June 1990 – 15th October 1999 (Acting: 9th June 1990 – 14th September 1990)
Deputy	Luo Wenjing
Preceded by	Qian Xingwen
Succeeded by	Han Guanzheng
Vice-Chairman of the Xiaodong Regeneration Society
Prime Minister	Qian Xingwen
Preceded by	Li Jingyao
Succeeded by	Han Guanzheng
Mayor of Rongzhuo
In office 17th January 1984 – 6th June 1988
Preceded by	Mao Huaqing
Succeeded by	Li Ma
Personal details
Born	(1939-04-23) April 23, 1939 Rongzhuo, Xiaodong
Nationality	Xiaodongese
Political party	Xiaodong Regeneration Society
Spouse	Qiao Liyuan
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Rongzhuo
Occupation	Politician

Yang Zhengming (Xiaodongese: 杨征明; Yáng Zhēngmíng) is a Xiaodongese politician and economist who served as the First Minister of Xiaodong from 1990 to 1997, as well as Chairperson of the State Presidium of Xiaodong from 2002 to 2009. He also served as Second Minister from 1988 to 1990 and Minister of Industry and Commerce from 1984-1988.

Born in 1939, Yang was a provincial official based in the city of Rongzhuo. Considered to be close to reformists in the regime, following Qian Xingwen's assumption of power he was appointed as the Mayor of Rongzhuo in 1984. As Mayor he became associated with policies that oversaw the economic revitalisation of the city with large development projects being sponsored notably the construction of new highways in the city and cooperating with other provincial leaders on the construction of the Rongzhuo-Baiqiao high-speed railway. In 1988 during the Orchid Revolution Yang was criticised for his soft approach to protests within the city, but after supporting the government during Chen Yaoguo's attempted coup was handpicked as Qian's successor, becoming First Minister upon Qian's death.

A supporter of economic reform but more cautious of political reform Yang continued the Economic Reorganising Programme started by Qian, championing liberalisation, deregulation and privatisation. Despite this the economy struggled under his rule entering a recession in 1993 and only recovering in 1998. Yang also promoted close ties with Tuthina but continued his predecessors hardline anti-Senrian policy, approving within a month of coming to power a sarin gas attack on the Keishi metro which killed 54 people in response to the 1987 bombing of the mausoleum of Lu Keqian. Yang's term was mainly dominated by the Duljunese War which saw Yang accused of ethnic cleansing and a brutalisation of the Duljunese population. The war also saw a expansion in executive power and consolidation of the Regeneration Society's electoral authoritarianism, with civil society being weakened. In 1999 Yang unexpectedly resigned from the post of First Minister handing power to his college Han Guanzheng. However he remained a backroom player, being seen as holding substantial influence over the executive.

In 2002 Yang returned to the political scene when he nominated as Chairperson of the State Presidium. He was elected as State Chairman in October with 155 of 215 votes. Yang was seen to have poor relations with Han Guanzheng after the latter attempted to weaken Yang's own faction in the Regeneration Society. The 2005 removal of Han from office was widely seen as a power play by pro-Yang factions of the Regeneration Society which resulted in Yuan Xiannian ascending to office. Yang and Yuan were seen to cooperate during Yang's remaining years as State Chairman although his influence dissipated. His seven year term ended in 2009. Yang is currently a bored member of the East Sea Media Network and an unofficial adviser to the Xiaodongese government continuing to be seen as an influential factional leader.

First Minister

Following Qian's death Yang was sworn in as both First Minister and confirmed by the Xiaodong Regeneration Society's Executive Committee as acting chairman. Yang's appointment was seen as an exercise in compromise between the Regeneration Society's factions, with Yang being acceptable both to reformists and hardliners due to his technocratic background and lack of political enemies. Upon his ascension to office Yang appointed hardliner Luo Wenjing as Second Minister and moderate Han Guanzheng as Regeneration Society vice-chairman in order to balance factions within the government.

Yang was confirmed as Regeneration Society Chairman in 1990 at the party plenum that year. Initially he was regarded as a placeholder leader who would quickly step aside when a more charismatic member of the government amassed enough power - however Yang soon cultivated an image as a mediator of the various factions within the Regeneration Society mastering a consensus style of governance. This method of broad consultation with colleagues, allowing a degree of ministerial independence and promoting associates from his time as Mayor of Rongzhuo meant that Yang was able to outmanoeuvre political figures considered more competent than him.

In 1993 after Second Minister Luo Wenjing attempted to challenge Yang for the chairmanship Yang decisively came out on top, stripping Luo of his membership of the Regeneration Society's Executive Committee ensuring Luo remained a marginal force in Xiaodongese politics. In 1995 Yang was able to force outgoing State Chairman Li Jingyao into political retirement as well as appoint his own mentor, Wang Surong, over reformist and hardline candidates.