Selected Works of Li Zhuang: Essays and Articles

Author: Li Zhuang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Li Zhuang, born on July 1, 1918, was a native of Xushui County, Hebei Province. He devoted his entire life to journalism and was one of the older journalists trained and educated by the Communist Party of China. Li Zhuang joined the revolution in the early days of the War of Resistance Against Japan in the Taihang Mountains and was one of the founders of the Central Committee's organ, People's Daily. During the Korean War, he went deep into the southern part of the Korean Peninsula for reporting and became one of the first Chinese journalists to conduct battlefield reporting for the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. He successively served as Director of the General Editorial Office, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, and Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily. Li Zhuang passed away on March 3, 2006, at 15:54 due to illness, at the age of 88.
Comrade Li Zhuang was an elder leader of People's Daily and a highly respected veteran of the Party's publicity front. From a young age, he devoted himself to the revolution and long-term Party journalism. Since participating in the founding of People's Daily in 1946, he rooted himself in the newspaper for nearly six decades, dedicating his passionate years to People's Daily and the glorious and sacred cause of the Party's publicity. In his long career in journalism, Comrade Li Zhuang was both skilled in using the "red pen" to revise and review manuscripts, accumulating rich leadership experience in publicity work, and adept at using the "blue pen" to write his own articles, creating numerous influential and widely acclaimed works. Even after retiring from his position as Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily, he continued to write tirelessly, producing new works. It is a meaningful endeavor to compile and publish Comrade Li Zhuang's important works over the years, allowing this invaluable spiritual wealth to guide, inspire, and enlighten journalists.
The Collected Works of Li Zhuang is a substantial collection. The works span a long period, encompass a wealth of experiences, carry profound ideological weight, and demonstrate precise language—qualities rarely seen. It is the crystallization of a lifetime's dedication of a veteran of the Party's publicity, and it also records, to some extent, the extraordinary development of the Party's publicity work.
The works in The Collected Works of Li Zhuang are divided into three parts by theme: "News Works," "Essays and Articles," and "Memoirs (Volume 1 and 2)." The "News Works" section presents vivid and unforgettable historical scenes to readers. From "Commemorating Lu Xun Amidst the Urgent Sounds of Defending Wuhan," written during the War of Resistance Against Japan, to "Demanding the Rights of 70 Million People," published during the War of Liberation, from "The Chinese People Have Stood Up—Special Report on the First Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference," in the early days of the PRC, to "The Troops Hailed as 'Long Live'," "Ten Days of Battle," and other reports from the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea—all are outstanding works with clear themes, significant content, vivid language, and far-reaching influence. Reading them today still stirs emotions, as if transporting readers back to intense, tense, uplifting, or somber historical scenes. The works in the "News Works" section are authentic and vivid records of the struggles of the Party and the people during the arduous revolutionary wars, at critical junctures in China's historical development, written with passionate ink. They showcase the glorious image and noble qualities of the Party members and demonstrate the great spirit of self-reliance of the Chinese nation. The works fully reflect the author's clear stance, keen insight, and exceptional ability to handle subjects and use language, leaving behind many precious examples for journalists.
Around the themes of how to run a newspaper and how to excel as an editor or reporter, Comrade Li Zhuang, through his long-term practice in publicity work, reflected and summarized from multiple perspectives. These articles are collected in the "Essays and Articles" section, such as "The Tradition of the Party Newspaper and News Reform," "The Key Lies in Being Fewer but Better," "Advice to Young Editors," and "Easy to Start, Hard to Improve—Some Experiences in My Journalism Career." The articles in this section are clear in argument, forceful in reasoning, sincere in tone, and straightforward in language, offering great inspiration and persuasive power. Reading these works, one can feel the author's courage to uphold the Party's principles in journalism, adhere to the correct direction, cherish the fine traditions of the profession, while also perceiving his ideological liberation, pragmatism, and skill in engaging readers in intellectual exchanges, debates, and professional discussions. For journalists, the "Essays and Articles" section is an invaluable mentor and companion.
The "Memoirs (Volume 1 and 2)" section includes Comrade Li Zhuang's records and reflections on his lifelong dedication to the Party's publicity work, which he began in his youth. In this part, readers can clearly see the trajectory of his life devoted to the revolution and the Party's publicity cause. As readers encounter the various difficulties, problems, events, and stories he faced while working as an editor or reporter, and the diverse thoughts and insights he derived—understanding of his life journey and noble character will deepen, as will appreciation for the glorious traditions and valuable experiences of the Party's publicity work. Without a doubt, this will help enhance the political awareness, sense of responsibility, and sense of mission among journalists, inspiring them to remain loyal to the Party's publicity cause, uphold ideals, and strive tirelessly for the cause.
I have heard it said: Extraordinary times call for extraordinary individuals, and extraordinary individuals produce extraordinary works. Examining the modern history of Chinese newspapers, this statement holds true. Since the Opium War, with the decline of the nation and the yearning for change, the newspaper industry rose with the times. Outstanding figures emerged like a galaxy of stars. Before them were pioneers such as Wang Tao, Liang Qichao, Zhang Taiyan, Shao Biaoping, Qu Qiubai, Zhang Jiliang, and Zou Taofen, who, with hearts full of patriotism and a of sweeping power, delivered stirring and enlightening words. After them came successors like Fan Changjiang, Hu Qiaojun, Yun Yiqun, Deng Tuo, Wu Lengxi, Qiao Guanhua, Liu Baiyu, Huashan, and Mu Qing, who rose during times of deep crisis and national peril. Some roamed the battlefields of resisting U.S. aggression and achieving national liberation, while others navigated treacherous and bloody enemy rear areas. With unyielding integrity and courage, they proved to be true heroes of their generation.
In troubled times, they wielded pens as swords; in prosperous times, they toiled day and night, exhausting themselves for the cause, using their words and voices to inspire the masses. Among them, those who stood out were predecessors like Li Zhuang, former Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily. From a young age, he harbored great ambitions, was quick-witted and eager to learn, and possessed a modest and gentle demeanor, embodying the virtues of ancient gentlemen. During the 1937 incident, when northern China fell to the Japanese, half the nation suffered in turmoil. He rose to arms, took up a pen to join the army, and fought alongside the troops in the Taihang Mountains, becoming a trusted battlefield reporter. When the Korean War broke out, he was dispatched to the front, braving danger to lead a team into Korea for reporting. He faced peril, produced outstanding works, and gained fame. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the founding, reform, and development of People's Daily for half a century, achieving remarkable accomplishments both in terms of moral integrity and literary achievement, highly regarded by all.
What is particularly precious is that, despite his busy schedule over the decades, he never stopped writing. He often advised the younger generation, "We must never forget using both the red and blue pens throughout our lives." Even after retirement, he rose at dawn every day, reflecting on his life and writing down his thoughts, producing timely works without a single day of idleness. His diligence was truly exceptional.