1916-2006
Actor/director/producer Jackie Chan's unique blend of impressive martial arts and screwball physical comedy has helped make him an international film star.
1954-
Confucius was an influential Chinese philosopher, teacher and political figure known for his popular aphorisms and for his models of social interaction.
551-479
712-770
Communist party leader Hu Jintao became vice president of China in 1998 and president in 2003. His administration has focused on social and economic reform.
1942-
Dalai Lama, Tibet's political leader, has strived to make Tibet an independent and democratic state from China. He and his followers are exiled to India.
1935-
1926-
Jet Li is an actor and martial artist who has starred in a number of Chinese and English-language action films.
1963-
1904-1986
1980-
Charles Ng is a Chinese-American mass murderer who was sentenced to death after torturing and killing up to 25 people at Leonard Lake’s California ranch.
1960-
Jiang Qing was the wife of Chinese Communist leader Mao Tse-tung and implemented policies during the country’s Cultural Revolution.
1914-1991
1037-1101
1859-1916
Chinese golfer Guan Tianlang became the youngest player in Masters history when he teed off at the 2013 tournament at age 14 years and five months.
1998-
Mao Tse-tung was the principal Chinese Marxist theorist, soldier and statesman who led his nation's Cultural Revolution.
1893-1976
Chinese-American actress Ming-Na is best known for her portrayal of Dr. Deb Chen on the medical drama ER.
1963-
1156-1987
Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese communist leader, the most powerful figure in the People's Republic of China from the late 1970s until his death in 1997.
1904-1997
1569-1618
Michelle Yeoh is a Chinese actress and dancer known for her roles in Hong Kong action and martial arts films and for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
1962-
Lee Kuan Yew was the prime minster of Singapore from 1959 to 1990, making him the longest-serving PM in history. During his long rule, Singapore became the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.
1923-
1955-
Jiang Zemin was president of China from 1993-2003 and worked to improve relations with the United States.
1926-
Liang Zhuge was an adviser to Liu Bei and subsequent ruler of the Shu-Han dynasty in China.
181-234
1919-2005
Zhang Ziyi is a celebrated film actress known for starring in films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Rush Hour 2, 2046 and Memoirs of a Geisha.
1979-