Famous Chinese People

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 1 
Jackie Chan
(One of the Most Popular Action Film Stars of All Time Known for His 'Slapstick Acrobatic' Fighting Style)
Jackie Chan
95
Birthdate: April 7, 1954
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Victoria Peak

Jackie Chan is a martial artist, actor, film director, screenwriter and singer and is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing and innovative stunts in his films, which he performs himself. Rumble in the Bronx, Shanghai Noon and Rush Hour are some of his popular Hollywood films. He has a widespread following in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres.

 2 
Jack Ma
(Co-founder and Former Executive Chairman of 'Alibaba Group')
Jack Ma
86
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: September 10, 1964
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Hangzhou
Jack Ma’s journey from being a tourist guide to establishing the Chinese e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba is inspirational. Initially rejected by various companies, he is the second-wealthiest person in China as of 2020. After quitting his post of executive chairman of Alibaba in 2019, he focused on philanthropy and environmental causes. 
 3 
Jet Li
(Actor and Martial Artist Who was All-Around Youth Champion in the National Wushu Competition)
Jet Li
43
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 26, 1963
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Beijing

Jet Li is one of the most popular Asian actors to have made it big in the American film industry. A martial artist and former Wushu champion, he won a national championship before retiring from competitive Wushu to focus on his acting career. Also a well-known philanthropist, Jet Li is closely associated with the Red Cross Society of China.

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 4 
Yao Ming
(6th President of the Chinese Basketball Association and Former Professional Player)
Yao Ming
32
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 12, 1980
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Shanghai

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Chinese basketball players ever, Yao Ming represented the Houston Rockets of the NBA. Known as the Ming Dynasty in the US, Ming's popularity and success in the NBA made him a symbol of China. One of China's most popular sportsmen, Ming is also credited with introducing the Chinese Basketball Association to the world.

 5 
Confucius
(Chinese Philosopher and Political Theorist)
Confucius
22
Birthdate: 0551 BC
Birthplace: Lu
Died: April 11, 0479

Confucius was a Chinese philosopher whose philosophy came to be known as Confucianism. Confucianism is often credited with shaping Chinese communities and East Asian societies. Confucius is considered one of the most influential individuals in the history of mankind as his teachings have had a great impact on people around the world. His philosophy continues to remain influential.

 6 
Qin Shi Huang
(Emperor of the Qin Dynasty from 221 BC to 210 BC)
Qin Shi Huang
59
Birthdate: February 18, 0259
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: China
Died: 0210 AD

Qin Shi Huang is credited with founding the Qin dynasty, the first dynasty of Imperial China. He reigned as the first emperor of a unified China from 221 BC to 210 BC. Under his rule, the Chinese state expanded greatly and he also enacted major political and economic reforms. His life and work inspired several films like The Emperor's Shadow.

 7 
Yip Man
(Martial Artist and a Grandmaster of the Martial Art 'Wing Chun')
Yip Man
18
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 1, 1893
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Foshan
Died: December 2, 1972

Yip Man was a Chinese martial artist best remembered for teaching martial arts to the famous Chinese American martial artist, Bruce Lee. Yip Man is credited with teaching not only Bruce Lee but also many other students who went on to become martial arts masters. A biographical martial arts film titled Ip Man was inspired by his life and career.

 8 
Sun Tzu
(Chinese Military Strategist, Writer and Philosopher)
Sun Tzu
22
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 0544 AD
Birthplace: Qi
Died: 0496 AD
Sun Tzu was a Chinese general from the Eastern Zhou period. He is known to have written The Art of War, which propagated various alternatives to battles, such as alliances and use of spies, to win wars. He is said to be the same as Sun Wu and Sun Bin.
 9 
Lao Tzu (Laozi)
(Ancient Chinese Philosopher and Writer)
Lao Tzu (Laozi)
16
Birthdate: 0571 BC
Birthplace: Chu
Died: 0471 BC
Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, or Laozi, who is said to have lived in 6th-century BC by some and in the 4th-century BC by others, wrote the Tao Te Ching. He founded Taoism and is a legendary figure or deity. The Tang Dynasty emperors claimed he had founded their lineage.
 10 
Simu Liu
(Known for His Portrayal in the film Shang-Chi)
Simu Liu
61
Birthdate: April 19, 1989
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Harbin

Born in China, Simu Liu moved to Canada at 5. A business administration graduate, he took to acting after being laid off by Deloitte. Trained in martial arts, he initially found work as a stunt man. He is best known for his Canadian Screen Award-nominated role in Blood and Water.

 11 
Zheng He
(Chinese Explorer, Admiral and Diplomat)
Zheng He
21
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 23, 1371
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Yunnan
Died: 1433 AD
Chinese explorer Zheng He was also Chinese Ming dynasty eunuch. He was born Ma He, a Muslim, and was named Zheng by the Yongle Emperor, whom he helped to depose the Jianwen Emperor. He became the commander of Nanjing and led expeditions to places such as Southeast Asia and India.
 12 
Dilraba Dilmurat
(Chinese Model and Actress)
Dilraba Dilmurat
55
Birthdate: June 3, 1992
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ürümqi
Dilraba Dilmurat, also known as Dilireba, is a Chinese actor and model of Uyghur descent. She is known for her roles in films such as Mr. Pride vs Miss Prejudice and series such as The Backlight of Love. She has also been featured on Forbes China Celebrity 100 multiple times.
 13 
Liu Yifei
(Best Known for Her Titular Role in the Disney Live-Action Film ‘Mulan’)
Liu Yifei
25
Birthdate: August 25, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Wuhan

Popularly known as Fairy Sister, Liu Yifei is a famous actress, singer, and model. In 2009, she was named among the New Four Dan actresses of China. As a singer, she has released a couple of albums including a Japanese album titled All My Words. In 2020, she was ranked 30th in the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list.

 14 
Xi Jinping
(General Secretary of the Communist Party of China)
Xi Jinping
78
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 15, 1953
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Beijing

Xi Jinping, President of China since 2013, is said to be the most powerful Chinese leader since Chairman Mao Zedong. He is an authoritarian leader and his reign is marked by an increase in censorship and deterioration in human rights . Also, China’s foreign policy under Xi has been more assertive, leading to a deterioration of relations with many countries.

 15 
Empress Dowager Cixi
(Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty from 1861 to 1908)
Empress Dowager Cixi
16
Birthdate: November 29, 1835
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Beijing
Died: November 15, 1908

Empress Dowager Cixi was a Chinese regent and empress dowager. From 1861 to 1908, Cixi served as the de facto supreme ruler of the Qing dynasty. She is credited with overseeing a series of moderate reforms called the Tongzhi Restoration, which helped the regime survive for a long period of time. She also supported military and technological reforms.  

 16 
Dylan Wang
(Actor)
Dylan Wang
57
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: December 20, 1998
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Chengdu

Dylan Wang is a Chinese singer, rapper, model, and actor. He achieved international fame for his portrayal of Daoming Si in the popular TV series, Meteor Garden. Apart from being an entertainer, Dylan is also a basketball enthusiast. In 2019, he participated in a celebrity basketball game and helped his team secure a win at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center

 17 
Fan Bingbing
(Actress, Singer)
Fan Bingbing
15
Birthdate: September 16, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Qingdao
Chinese actor Fan Bingbing is best known for her roles in hits such as Cell Phone and X-Men: Days of Future Past. She was featured on Forbes China Celebrity 100 for 4 years. She is a fashion icon and has also served as a judge at the Academy Awards
 18 
Zhang Ziyi
(One of the Four Dan Actresses of China)
Zhang Ziyi
33
Birthdate: February 9, 1979
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Beijing
Chinese actor Zhang Ziyi began as a dancer and soared to fame with her role in the Academy Award-nominated film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Fans also loved her in Rush Hour 2 and Memoirs of a Geisha. Her role in the film The Grandmaster won Ziyi 12 "Best Actress" awards.
 19 
Puyi
(Last Emperor of China)
Puyi
15
Birthdate: February 7, 1906
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Beijing
Died: October 17, 1967

Puyi served as the final emperor of China's last imperial dynasty, The Qing dynasty. After Manchuria was invaded by Japan, Puyi became a puppet at the hands of the Japanese and was chosen as the emperor of the puppet state of Manchukuo. He then signed many edicts, given to him by the Japanese, including the one that made slavery legal.

 20 
I. M. Pei
(Architect)
I. M. Pei
20
Listed In: Architects
Birthdate: April 26, 1917
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Guangzhou
Died: May 16, 2019

I. M. Pei was a Chinese-American architect who drew inspiration from the garden villas at Suzhou when he was young. He is credited with founding I. M. Pei & Associates, an independent design firm, in 1955. Today, the award-winning firm is known by the name, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. Pei is known for designing structures like the Mesa Laboratory.

 21 
Lin Dan
(One of the Greatest Badminton Players of All Time)
Lin Dan
12
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 14, 1983
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Longyan

With 666 career wins, including two Olympic and two World Cup golds, Lin Dan is one of the veterans of Chinese badminton. He is the only player to achieve a Super Slam, winning all nine major badminton titles. Known for his fitness and attacking style, Dan retired at 37.

 22 
Chiang Kai-shek
(President of the Republic of China)
Chiang Kai-shek
26
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 31, 1887
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Xikou
Died: April 5, 1975

Chiang Kai-shek was a Chinese revolutionary who led the Republic of China between 1928 and 1975, first in mainland China until 1949 and later on in Taiwan until his death. He is credited with successfully leading the Northern Expedition against the Beiyang government, achieving Chinese unification. He was involved in a civil war with Communist Party of China, which he lost in 1949 and retreated to Taiwan.

 23 
Jimmy O. Yang
(Actor Known for His Role as 'Jian-Yang' on HBO’s Hit Comedy Series 'Silicon Valley')
Jimmy O. Yang
19
Birthdate: June 11, 1987
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: British Hong Kong

Born in Hong Kong, Jimmy O. Yang moved to the U.S. with his parents at 13. Although equipped with an economics degree, he found his calling in comedy and established himself as a talented stand-up comedian. He is now known for his roles in Silicon Valley and Crazy Rich Asians.

 24 
Sun Yat-Sen
(Provisional President of the Republic of China (January - March 1912))
Sun Yat-Sen
33
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 12, 1866
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cuiheng
Died: March 12, 1925
Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat Sen, also known as the "Father of the Nation" in China, ousted the Qing Dynasty in 1911. He was the first leader of the Nationalist Party of China and laid down the Three Principles of the People, which included nationalism, democracy, and livelihood.
 25 
Shen Yue
(Actress, Model)
Shen Yue
29
Birthdate: February 27, 1997
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Wugang

Shen Yue is a Chinese actress, model, and singer. She is known for playing important roles in TV series like A Love So Beautiful. Also known for her philanthropic efforts, Shen Yue won the Next Generation Influencers for Global Philanthropy award in 2019. The same year, she won the Philanthropy Idol of the Year at the Madame Figaro Fashion Awards.

 26 
Yang Mi
(Chinese Actress and Singer)
Yang Mi
17
Birthdate: September 12, 1986
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Beijing
Chinese actor and singer Yang Mi soared to fame with the series Tang Ming Huang and later appeared in series such as Chinese Paladin 3 and Swords of Legends. She has also appeared in movies such as Mysterious Island, the Tiny Times film franchise, and The Witness.
 27 
Chloe Zhao
(Known for Her Independent Films 'The Rider' and 'Songs My Brothers Taught Me')
Chloe Zhao
18
Birthdate: March 31, 1982
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Beijing
Chinese filmmaker Chloé Zhao is best known for directing films such as Songs My Brothers Taught Me and The Rider, both of which earned Independent Spirit Award nominations. Her film Nomadland won her the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. She is also directing the Marvel film Eternals.
 28 
Wu Zetian
(Chinese Empress)
Wu Zetian
17
Birthdate: February 17, 0624
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lizhou
Died: December 16, 0705

Wu Zetian was a Chinese empress regnant who ruled the Zhou dynasty from 690 to 705. She is the only female monarch in Chinese history. Before ruling the Zhou dynasty, Wu Zetian had served as the de facto ruler of China from 665 to 690. Under her political and military leadership, the Chinese empire expanded beyond its former territorial limits.

 29 
Hu Jintao
(Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of China)
Hu Jintao
13
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 21, 1942
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Taizhou

President of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from 2003 to 2013, Hu Jintao is believed to have given shape to the belligerent China that Xi Jinping unleashed on the world. He was conservative with political reforms and reintroduced state control in several sectors. Known for his reserved and modest leadership style, his tenure marked consensus based rule and collective leadership.

 30 
Gong Li
(Chinese Actress)
Gong Li
26
Birthdate: December 31, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Shenyang
Gong Li is best known for her roles in Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern, The Story of Qiu Ju, and the live-action version of Mulan. She was the first Asian to head the jury at both the Berlin and Venice film festivals and served as a FAO goodwill ambassador.
 31 
Ma Huateng
(CEO of Tencent)
Ma Huateng
6
Listed In: Engineers
Birthdate: October 29, 1971
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Chaoyang

Chinese business magnate Ma Huateng, or Pony Ma, is best known as the founder, chairman, and CEO of the technology giant Tencent. His company owns the messaging app WeChat. One of CEOWORLD’s Most Powerful People in the World, he was a delegate of the 12th National People's Congress.

 32 
Xi Mingze
(Daughter of Xi Jinping)
Xi Mingze
57
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 27, 1992
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Funian

Xi Mingze is the daughter of the Chinese President and Paramount Leader Xi Jinping. She prefers to keep a low profile, and made her first public appearance alongside her parents in 2013. In 2008, she had volunteered as a relief worker in Hanwang, Mianzhu after the Great Sichuan earthquake.

 33 
Zhao Liying
(Chinese Actress)
Zhao Liying
23
Birthdate: October 16, 1987
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Langfang
Chinese actor Zhao Liying, or Zanilia Zhao, soared to fame with her roles in series such as Legend of Lu Zhen, The Journey of Flower, and Legend of Fei. She won the 2006 Yahoo Search Star Game and has also appeared in films such as Crazy New Year's Eve
 34 
Jiang Zemin
(Former President of China)
Jiang Zemin
10
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 17, 1926
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Yangzhou
Died: November 30, 2022

Chinese politician, Jiang Zemin, served as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party from 1989 to 2002. Qualified as an engineer, he joined the Chinese Communist Party when he was in college. Rising through the ranks, he eventually became a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Minister of Electronic Industries. 

 35 
Qianlong Emperor
(Emperor of China)
Qianlong Emperor
12
Birthdate: September 25, 1711
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lama Temple
Died: February 7, 1799
The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty was the fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor and reigned over China from 1735 to 1796. Known for the economic prosperity and military prowess his kingdom gained under his rule, he continued to indirectly rule as the Retired Emperor even after his abdication.
 36 
Cao Cao
(Chinese Statesman, Warlord, Poet and the Penultimate Grand Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty)
Cao Cao
8
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 0155 AD
Birthplace: Bozhou
Died: March 15, 0220

Cao Cao was a Chinese warlord, poet, and statesman. He played an important role in laying the foundations for the state of Cao Wei, which was formed shortly after his death. Although he was posthumously honoured with the title Emperor Wu of Wei, Cao Cao never ruled as an emperor, but kept Emperor Xian under his control.

 37 
Hu Yi Tian
(Actor)
Hu Yi Tian
30
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: December 26, 1993
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Hangzhou

After making waves with his TV debut in A Rush to Dead Summer, Chinese actor Hu Yitian gained accolades and awards for his role of Jiang Chen in the Tencent series A Love So Beautiful. He has also appeared on reality shows such as Twenty-Four Hours.

 38 
Ai Weiwei
(Artistic Consultant for Design of the Beijing National Stadium)
Ai Weiwei
3
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: August 28, 1957
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Beijing
Named Art Review’s most powerful artist in 2011, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has become a symbol of resilience against the authoritarian Chinese government. Jailed and banned from leaving the country once, he is known for using various media, such as sculpture, photos, and documentaries, to reflect Chinese human-rights abuses.
 39 
Victoria Song
11
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: February 2, 1987
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Qingdao

Victoria Song is a Chinese actress, singer, dancer, TV presenter, model, and author. Over the years, she has received several awards, such as an MBC Entertainment Award and China TV Drama Awards. In 2017, 2019, and 2020, she was named on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list. Also a philanthropist, Victoria Song has worked alongside organizations like UNICEF and Red Cross.

 40 
Lu Bu
(Chinese Army General and Warlord of the 2nd Century)
Lu Bu
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 0161 AD
Birthplace: Wuyuan Commandery
Died: February 7, 0199

After killing warlord Ding Yuan, Chinese army general Lü Bu ran away to work for another warlord, Dong Zhuo, whom he also killed. After assisting Yuan Shao, he fought against Cao Cao. He eventually lost to Cao Cao and Liu Bei in the Battle of Xiapi and was executed.

 41 
Joan Chen
(Actress Who Gained Fame for her Role in 'The Last Emperor')
Joan Chen
3
Birthdate: April 26, 1961
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Shanghai
Chinese-American actor Joan Chen initially came to be known for the films Little Flower and The Last Emperor and later appeared as Jocelyn 'Josie' Packard in the series Twin Peaks. She also delivered a multiple-award-winning role in The Home Song Stories and directed Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.
 42 
John Woo
(Hong Kong Filmmaker)
John Woo
4
Birthdate: September 22, 1946
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Guangzhou
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 43 
Deng Lun
(Actor)
Deng Lun
24
Birthdate: October 21, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Shijiazhuang

Deng Lun soared to fame with the xianxia series Ashes of Love. The star of The Yin-Yang Master film franchise, Lun was named Esquire’s Most Commercially Valuable Artist of the Year. He has also appeared in the series Flowers in Fog and the reality show Go Fighting! 

 44 
Sally Phillips
(English Actress, Television Presenter, and Comedian)
Sally Phillips
5
Birthdate: May 10, 1969
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Hong Kong
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 45 
Kangxi Emperor
(Emperor of the Qing Dynasty from 1661 to 1722)
Kangxi Emperor
6
Birthdate: May 4, 1654
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Beijing
Died: December 20, 1722
Son of emperor Shunzhi and empress Xiaokang, Xuanye, or the Kangxi Emperor, was the Qing dynasty’s third emperor. Apart from signing the Treaty of Nerchinsk with Russia, he crushed the revolt of the three warlords, known as the Rebellion of Wu Sangui. He was also known to be a workaholic.
 46 
Deng Xiaoping
(Politician)
Deng Xiaoping
36
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 22, 1904
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Guang'an
Died: February 19, 1997
Deng Xiaoping led the People's Republic of China from 1978 to 1989. He ordered a crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protestors in 1989, leading to the June Fourth Massacre. However, he also earned the tag of the "Architect of Modern China" for ushering in a market economy in the country.
 47 
Tang Wei
(Actress)
Tang Wei
7
Birthdate: October 7, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Wenzhou
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 48 
Li Wenliang
(Chinese Ophthalmologist Who First Warned His Colleagues of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Wuhan)
Li Wenliang
8
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: October 12, 1986
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Beizhen
Died: February 7, 2020

Chinese ophthalmologist Li Wenliang was one of the first to identify the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. In late 2019, he alerted his colleagues of an illness that resembled SARS but didn’t respond to usual treatment. He was reprimanded and later died of COVID-19. He is since regarded as a medical hero.

 49 
Yang Yang
(Chinese Actor)
Yang Yang
4
Birthdate: September 9, 1991
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Shanghai

Yang Yang is a Chinese actor who was ranked fifth in Forbes magazine's China Celebrity 100 list in 2017. Best known for playing important roles in films like Once Upon a Time and I Belonged to You, Yang Yang is the recipient of many prestigious awards like the Sohu Entertainment Award, Youku Young Choice Awards, and Tencent Video Star Awards.

 50 
Tiffany Tang
(Actress)
Tiffany Tang
10
Birthdate: December 6, 1983
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Hanghai

Tiffany Tang is a Chinese singer and actress. One of the most decorated Chinese actresses of her generation, Tiffany Tang has won several prestigious awards, such as Beijing TV Drama Award, China TV Drama Awards, and Huading Awards. She has also been named on Forbes China Celebrity 100 lists on several occasions.

The teachings of the ancient philosopher Confucius laid the foundation for the rich cultural and political heritage of China. His philosophy emphasized on morality, social relationships, justice and sincerity—qualities that the Chinese uphold to this day. From time immemorial Chinese scientists, mathematicians and doctors have made important inventions and discoveries. The contributions of the Chinese to the areas of astronomy, surgery, science and technology, and philosophy have been immense. The modern Chinese are following in the footsteps of their illustrious forefathers in making their homeland proud and enriching the whole of the world with their good works. Browse this section to read all about the famous Chinese who helped shape the world.