Who is Chiang Kai-shek from The Rape of Nanking and what is their importance?

Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of China, is believed by some to be responsible for the fall of Nanking. Chiang appointed Tang Sheng-chih to lead the defense of the city, while simultaneously moving the government of Nanking, the capitol of China, to other areas. Many believe Tang's appointment was simply to make it appear the government of China was defending the capitol, when in fact, Chiang had already been determined to lose the city. Chiang ordered ninety thousand troops into Nanking to defend, and the troops transformed the city into a military base with trenches, barbed wire, and fortified walls, as well as massive quantities of weapons and ammunition.