Former Site of the China Vocational Education Association

Former Site of the China Vocational Education Association

The Former Site of the China Vocational Education Association is a Shanghai Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Former Site of the China Vocational Education Association

The China Vocational Education Association (abbreviated as CVEA) was founded on May 6, 1917 (the 6th year of the Republic of China), initiated in Shanghai by Huang Yanpei along with Cai Yuanpei, Liang Qichao, Zhang Jian, and 48 others. Its initial office was located within the Jiangsu Education Association at Fangxie Road in Shanghai. In 1930 (the 19th year of the Republic of China), it moved into a self-built headquarters building on Hualong Road (now Yan’an Road). The building at No. 80 Yan’an Road, constructed in 1930, is a five-story structure adapted to the site, featuring a brown exterior and a design that is narrower on the south side and wider on the north, with the southern facade decorated with subtle patterns.

After its establishment in Shanghai, the CVEA developed theories on vocational education and practical models for urban and rural vocational education, which were then promoted nationwide. By 1937 (the 26th year of the Republic of China), it had largely completed the research on the theoretical system of vocational education and the exploration of practical models for urban and rural vocational education, laying the foundation for the development of vocational education in China. After the September 18 Incident in 1931 (the 20th year of the Republic of China), the CVEA set resisting Japan and saving the nation as the educational objective of vocational training. During the January 28 Incident in 1932 (the 21st year of the Republic of China), the CVEA devoted itself to supporting the front lines of the Shanghai battle and maintaining local order. In 1937 (the 26th year of the Republic of China), the Marco Polo Bridge Incident triggered the full-scale War of Resistance against Japan. The CVEA relocated westward to Guilin in Guangxi Province (now Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), and later moved to Chongqing in Sichuan Province, maintaining an office in Shanghai. After the victory of the War of Resistance in 1945 (the 34th year of the Republic of China), the CVEA returned to Shanghai in January of the following year. In Shanghai, besides conducting vocational education, it also participated in the anti-Chiang struggle and promoted the policies and guidelines of the Communist Party of China. The People’s Republic of China was founded in October 1949. In April 1950, the CVEA moved to Beijing, establishing the Shanghai Branch of the CVEA (referred to as the Shanghai Branch) in Shanghai, whose tasks included providing technical education, adult education, and liaison with relevant individuals. With the start of the Cultural Revolution in 1966, the Shanghai Branch was forced to suspend activities. After the end of the Cultural Revolution, a working group for the revival of the Shanghai Branch was formed in 1980, and the branch was reinstated in 1983. The revived Shanghai Branch was an educational organization with public, educational, and civil characteristics. In 1992, it was renamed the Shanghai China Vocational Education Association (referred to as the Shanghai Vocational Education Association). In 2002, the Former Site of the China Vocational Education Association was designated as a Shanghai Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.