Leadership of China following the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. Ye Jianying, (right) the top military leader in the 1976 coup that overthrew the Gang of Four and ended the Cultural Revolution. Hua Guo Feng Chinese leader 1976 - 1981 (left). Li Xiannian (black uniform), President of the People's Republic of China between 1983 and 1988 and Wang Dongxing (centre green tunic), chief of Mao Zedong's personal bodyguard force.