Focus on the rostrum 1921-1949: Conquering the World

Author: Zhang Wenxiong Hu Jinchang Ye Jianjun Wu Jue Liu Huqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Mao Zedong said that Zhang Wentian's leadership had three major advantages. At the Shawa Conference, Zhang Guotao proposed a nine-member list, and Wang Ming, this "celestial being" who had descended from Kunlun Mountain, became an important figure in the Secretariat. The 7th National Congress elected Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Liu Shaoqi, and Zhou Enlai as Secretariat members, marking the preliminary formation of the CCP's de facto leadership collective. The Four Field Armies were successively established, with Peng Dehuai, Liu Bocheng, and Chen Yi becoming the commanders of each army. In 1921, the Communist Party of China was proclaimed, a monumental event in the history of the 20th century in China. Its founding brought the flame of hope to a bullied Chinese nation and lit the lantern of hope for the Chinese people who had endured countless hardships. From 1921 to the present, our Party has walked a tortuous yet glorious path. Tested in setbacks, it has explored forward in difficulties, and grown stronger through struggle. The CCP, which has evolved from a small party with over 50 members in its early days to a mature party governing China with over 68 million members for more than 50 years, has nurtured a large number of outstanding leaders who have guided the revolution and construction forward. Thanks to the guidance of these leaders, the ship of Chinese revolution and construction, though battered by storms, has always moved forward bravely. The revolutionary cause of China, though repeatedly on the brink of collapse, has turned crises into stability and ultimately achieved the great victory of the New Democratic Revolution. The newly established People's Republic of China, despite internal sabotage by counter-revolutionaries, external blockade by imperialists, a shattered economy, and displaced people, has rapidly stabilized and developed, creatively completed the transition from New Democracy to Socialism, and realized the greatest and deepest social transformation in Chinese history. The cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics has ushered in a new era of vigorous development and prosperity after the reform and opening-up. Through the joint efforts of the entire Party, the entire army, and people of all ethnic groups in the country, we have successfully achieved the first and second steps of the "three-step strategy" for modernization, bringing the overall living standards of the people to a moderately prosperous society level. China's comprehensive national strength has greatly increased, its international status has risen to an unprecedented level, and society has remained stable. The people live and work in peace and contentment, and national cohesion has significantly strengthened, marking a new milestone in the history of Chinese national development. In the new century, the 16th National Congress of the CCP further clearly proposed the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and mapped out a grand blueprint for China's modernization in the first 20 years of the 21st century. The Chinese nation will stand tall among the nations of the world with an even more spirited posture. Comrade Jiang Zemin pointed out during his inspection tour in Guangdong in February 2000 that the CCP has always represented the development requirements of China's advanced productive forces, the advanced direction of Chinese culture, and the fundamental interests of the vast majority of the Chinese people. This is a concise summary of the CCP's 80 years of arduous exploration and historical experience, as well as a brilliant summary of its 80 years of unremitting struggle. History is made by the people. The prosperity of the CCP, the vigorous development of the revolution, construction, and reform cause, is inseparable from the support and dedication of the masses, their immense driving force and creativity, and equally, from the unique role of leading figures in the course of historical development. They are guides—without correct guidance, the masses may easily lose their way. They are organizers—without strong organization, the masses' cohesion would be ineffective. They are decision-makers—without scientific decisions, the masses' actions would fall short of expectations. They are vanguards—without the example of role models, the masses' enthusiasm would remain untapped. The 80-year struggle history of the CCP is both a creation story of the masses and a history of the activities of leading figures. Of course, the CCP does not exist in a vacuum. As a party grows from small to large, from weak to strong, and from immature to mature, contradictions within the revolutionary ranks are inevitable, as are decadent elements who cannot withstand tests and pretenders who rise to prominence through improper means. But they are not the main characters on the historical stage—they are merely fleeting passersby and will ultimately be eliminated by history and scorned by the people. This is the just answer history gives us, and it is also a profound lesson it teaches us! The "Focus on the rostrum" series, guided by the "Resolution on Certain Historical Issues" and the "Resolution on Certain Historical Issues of the Party since the Founding of the People's Republic of China" passed successively by the Central Committee of the CCP, uses rich historical materials to objectively analyze and comment on the focal figures who were active on the CCP's political stage from the founding of the CCP in 1921 to the overthrow of the "Gang of Four" in 1976. It examines the reasons behind the success of these representative figures, as well as the lessons from the setbacks and even decline of some individuals. By observing the activities of leaders, focusing on their life pursuits and values, we can better understand the arduous journey of the CCP's growth and development, the development trajectory of the Chinese revolution and construction, and the CCP's arduous exploration in consistently upholding the "Three Represents" despite numerous hardships. This will deepen our understanding of the CCP's leadership system and leadership patterns, further strengthen our belief in the Party and socialism, enhance our governance and leadership capabilities, and help us establish a correct worldview, life philosophy, and values, thereby contributing our part to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.