In August 1949, just before the official establishment of the People's Republic of China, Pan Fusheng was appointed Communist Party Secretary of the newly established Pingyuan Province.
In November 1952, Pingyuan Province was abolished and most of it was merged into Henan Province, and Pan Fusheng became the party chief (then called First Secretary) of Henan, succeeding Zhang Xi, and the Political Commissar of the Henan Military District.