1921--1933: The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was in Shanghai

Author: Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Party History Research Institute
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-07-10
Features: Shanghai is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The early CPC organization in Shanghai was one of the earliest established CPC organizations. It played a crucial role as the initiating and coordinating center in the creation of a unified working-class party—the CPC—and was therefore also known as the Shanghai Branch of the CPC. The 1st National Congress of the CPC, held in Shanghai in July 1921, officially announced the founding of the party. From July 1921, when the CPC was officially established, to January 1933, when the Provisional Central Committee of the CPC was forced to move from Shanghai to the central revolutionary base of Ruijin, the CPC leadership remained in Shanghai, with only a few brief periods of relocation. During this time in Shanghai, the CPC was in its infancy, and it was also a period of arduous exploration to find a revolutionary path suited to China's conditions and with Chinese characteristics. The CPC led a series of major struggles in Shanghai, while also undergoing severe trials itself. In June 1931, Xiang Zhongfa, then chair of the Central Political Committee Standing Committee, was arrested and betrayed. In September, the Provisional Central Committee of the CPC was established in Shanghai, with Bo Gu in charge. After the September 18th Incident, the Provisional Central Committee raised the banner of resisting Japan, calling on the people of the nation to unite against Japanese imperialism, which significantly influenced the anti-Japanese salvation movement. However, due to the continued implementation of Wang Ming's "Left" dogmatic opportunism, it severely hindered the development of the anti-Japanese salvation movement. At the same time, it also caused serious damage to the CPC's organization and work. The Provisional Central Committee found it increasingly difficult to remain in Shanghai and moved to Jiangxi in January 1933. This book reflects the main activities and major struggles led by the CPC Central Committee in Shanghai during this historical period.