Zhang, who played a role in the Chinese revolution and joined the Communist Party in 1928, later served as defense minister in the early 1980s and took part in the building of China's atomic bomb.

He died on Saturday, according to the People's Daily, but the cause of his death was not reported.

Although working on China's atomic bomb, Zhang was criticized in the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution for not towing the party line.

Later as defense minister, he worked to modernize the military and played a role in improving China's naval missile force, according to state press reports.

After joining the party, Zhang fought against invading Japanese armies during World War II and later played a pivotal role in the communist's civil war victory against the Nationalist Party army in 1949.

He is best known in the West for his opposition to the use of force in the military quelling of the 1989 Tiananmen democracy protests and for his efforts at championing political reforms.

WAR.WIRE