Mao Zedong (December 26, 1893 - September 9, 1976) was a Chinese Communist politician, chairman of the Communist Party of China, and leader of the People's Republic of China between 1949 and 1972. In 1972, Mao formed the United Socialist Republics of China and Vietnam (USRCV), which he led until his death in 1976. His faithful pupil, Hua Guofeng followed him as leader.