Former Site of the Editorial Office of China Youth

Former Site of the Editorial Office of China Youth

The former site of the editorial office of China Youth is a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai.

The former site of the editorial office of China Youth is located at No. 4, Lane 66, Danshui Road, Yan Zhong Green Space (formerly No. 252, Zhuyili, Sapucai Road), and is a two-story Shikumen residential building facing south.

Passing through the bustling Huaihai Middle Road and walking along Danshui Road, visitors are greeted by lush green grass, shaded trees, and a vibrant scene of life. Amid this exuberant green space, a row of Shikumen houses exuding the old-time charm of Shanghai stands out—this is the former site of the editorial office of China Youth. It served as the birthplace of the only early publication initiated by the Chinese Communist Party that has continued to this day, a revolutionary stronghold that shared the fate and breathed the same air as the Chinese revolution and Chinese youth, and a shining banner that guided Chinese youth toward revolution.

In June 1923, after the Third National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, in order to further mobilize the youth to actively engage in the struggle against imperialism and warlords, the Second National Congress of the Socialist Youth League was held in Nanjing in August of the same year. The congress focused on discussing how to implement the Party’s Third Congress guideline on establishing a united front. Inspired by the “Second Congress,” in October 1923, the central organ of the Youth League, China Youth, was launched in Shanghai.

In the beginning, the editorial office of China Youth had no fixed location. Letters were forwarded by Mr. Dan Yi at 186 Lafayette Road (now Fuxing Middle Road)—“Dan Yi” being Yun Daiying. In the spring of 1924, the editorial office was finally established in a Shikumen building at No. 252, Zhuyili, Sapucai Road, which is now the former site of the editorial office of China Youth. At that time, the first floor parlor served as the residence of Xiao Chunu; the second floor parlor and the attic were used as the editorial office; and the small third-floor room functioned as the printing workshop. The first editor-in-chief of the journal was Yun Daiying, and later, Xiao Chunu, Deng Zhongxia, Zhang Tailei, Lin Yunan, Ren Bishi, Li Qiushi, Lu Dingyi, and others all served as editors or contributed to the work.

China Youth was the earliest publication founded under the Party’s leadership to disseminate Marxism-Leninism and consistently educate the youth in patriotism and communist spirit. It transformed the common aspiration of “overthrowing the imperialists and eliminating the warlords” into a clarion call, hoping that the youth would shoulder the mission of saving the nation. In its inaugural editorial, China Youth loudly proclaimed: “Politics are too dark, education too corrupt, and aging, stagnant China seems beyond redemption. But we often hear the cries of the youth, often see their activities, and many believe that the only hope for China lies with these still vigorous young people.” “Overthrow all demons and usher in a new era for China’s future.” During the Great Revolution period, Mao Zedong also published his important representative work “Analysis of the Classes in Chinese Society” in China Youth, helping the youth understand the social realities, recognize the revolutionary situation, and inspiring them to dedicate their youth to the Chinese revolution.

The “extraordinary” nature of China Youth captivated the hearts of many young people. Initially a 16-page weekly with a print run of 3,000 copies, its circulation eventually reached over 30,000 copies, making it the most widely distributed revolutionary publication of the time. Deng Tuo recalled: “Back then, many young people often carried a 32-page weekly in their pockets; in the corners ruled by repression, such a publication would often be secretly passed from one person to more than ten, even dozens of others. Along with New Youth and Guide, it became a cherished read for the revolutionary masses, progressive students, faculty, and even some older gentlemen with slightly newer ideas.” This publication was China Youth.

After the “April 12th” Incident in 1927, in order to preserve revolutionary strength, the editorial office of China Youth relocated with the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the Central Committee of the Youth League to Wuhan, continuing publication in Wuhan, Guangzhou, Ruijin, Yan’an, and other locations.

On September 7, 1962, the former site of the editorial office of China Youth was designated as a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai.