Historical traces: A collection of reportage

Author: Dazhong Literature and Art Publishing House
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Report literature is a literary record of real-life content, possessing strong realism while also holding distinct historical value. This book selects representative works of report literature since the founding of the People's Republic of China, presenting a literary memory of China's fifty-year history. It holds significant importance for us to understand and experience China's historical life.
Author's Self-Introduction: The selection provided here is a collection of representative works of report literature created since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The fifty years of report literature creation have unfolded alongside the strides of Chinese social life. Due to the complex and winding path of China's social and historical development, as well as the unique growth and evolution of report literature itself, the act of depicting real-life social events and figures through report literature has become an exceptionally intricate and rich literary subject. When compiling this selection of fifty-year-old report literature, the editor strove to reflect the achievements of report literature during this period through the chosen works, aiming to gather pieces that had once exerted significant influence in society. However, due to limitations in scope and differences in understanding and appreciation of report literature, the works included in this selection may not be universally recognized or accepted. This collection embodies our understanding and interpretation of report literature and its fifty-year accomplishments. We hope it will assist readers in recognizing and comprehending the historical development and achievements of report literature.
Excerpt: Record of the Grand Ceremony of the Founding of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China
The Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China was officially proclaimed to have been founded! This earth-shaking declaration, made by the great leader of the 475 million people of China—Chairman Mao Zedong of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China—on the solemn and resounding stage of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, triggered an endless outburst of cheers among the 300,000 spectators at the grand ceremony.
The red flag with five stars slowly rose to a height of 22 meters, while fifty-four cannons fired in unison, and the military band played the March of the Volunteers, a song that had inspired countless patriotic people to advance against Japanese imperialism over a decade earlier. It was 3:00 PM on October 1, 1949. The Chinese nation, which had endured countless severe disasters, would forever remember this precious moment: it announced the complete death of old China and the birth of the new People's Republic of China. China and the Chinese people would no longer be synonymous with the humiliation of colonies and colonial slaves, but would instead be respected by people around the world who loved peace and democracy. From this day forward, the Chinese people would have a homeland that stood tall in the camp of peace and democracy, with a government that truly protected and represented them. The people of Beijing, who had suffered under the direct rule of feudal emperors for generations and the bloody massacres of Japanese fascists and the Jiang family's petty regime, would forever cherish this precious moment.
Like dense forests, the national flags fluttered high in the sky. Countless red five-star lanterns and round lanterns, along with various weapons and hammers and sickles, stood beneath massive banners that proclaimed, "Long Live the People's Republic of China!" "Long Live the Central People's Government!" "Long Live Chairman Mao!" These banners symbolized the unified and fervent desire of the people: to consolidate their homeland and government.
As General Zhu De reviewed the land, sea, and air forces of the people, these units conducted a parade in the center of the venue. The crowd erupted in equally fervent cheers. For the entire two and a half hours of the review, many people did not even sit down. Cameras, film cameras, binoculars, and the eyes of hundreds of thousands of people remained focused on the reviewed units, fearing to miss any visible weapon or soldier. The two and a half-hour review of the people's armed forces strengthened the people's confidence in victory even further. For the first time, China's young naval and air forces publicly paraded before their beloved leader and the vast masses. The disciplined steps and spirited demeanor of the marine corps convinced everyone that they had emerged from nothing and would grow from small to great, just as our great motherland prospered.
As our great motherland flourishes, we will build a powerful navy. The air force flew in formation over the venue, and in the crowd, hats and handkerchiefs flew up, along with newspapers and other objects. People clapped in rhythm to the resounding melody of the March of the People's Liberation Army, moving in unison with the beat, their pulses synchronized. The infantry, artillery, armored, and cavalry units marched in perfect formation at equal distances and speeds—this was the longest segment of the review, stretching until the sun set. Yet, the crowd did not grow weary; they asked one another, "What kind of artillery is that?" "What kind of troops are those?" Each person treated others as all-knowing, eager to learn more about their own units.
The seasoned officers on the reviewing stand continuously answered the non-military personnel beside them: "The two side-by-side jeeps at the front are for commanders and political commissars, the next two are for the chief of staff and the political director, and the last one is for the flag bearer. This unit of field artillery is Japanese Type 90, capable of firing thirty li; this is an American 15-inch howitzer; this is a medium tank; this is an armored vehicle company." All motorcycles and armored vehicles were painted, adorned with red stars and the "August First" emblem, with white tires and a magnificent, uniform appearance. These were the people's soldiers, who had taken special care to decorate their equipment.
Looking west along Chang'an Avenue, one could not tell how far the troops had already marched; looking east, one could not know how many more miles of troops were still preparing to enter the venue. The longer the crowd watched, the more inspired they became, realizing the strength of their motherland's armed forces. When many cavalry units passed in perfect formation of five horses abreast before the reviewing stand, they provoked multiple rounds of enthusiastic applause. Not only were they well-coordinated, but the colors of their horses were also uniform—either all white or all red.
As the last cavalry unit passed, the sun lamps on the red walls of Tiananmen and the colorful lights began to glow in the twilight. Lanterns and torches in the crowd were lit, casting a fiery red wave over the entire venue. Fireworks exploded into the sky, releasing clusters of red, green, and snow-white balls, trailing dazzling sparks as they descended, creating a cacophony of pa-pa-pa. The crowds on both sides of Chang'an Avenue began to gather, watching the long procession of lantern-bearing marchers, shouting in unison, "Long Live the People's Republic of China!" "Long Live the Central People's Government!" "Long Live Chairman Mao!"