Former Site of the Editorial Office of New Youth

Former Site of the Editorial Office of New Youth

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

The former site of the editorial office of New Youth is located at No. 2, Lane 100, Nanchang Road, Huangpu District (formerly No. 2, Old Yuyangli, Huánlóng Road). It is a two-story, brick-and-wood structure facing south, a traditional Shikumen-style residential building in an old alleyway.

This was originally the residence of Bai Wenwei, the former military governor of Anhui. In early 1920, Chen Duxiu arrived in Shanghai from Beijing and lived here, and the editorial office of New Youth also moved here.

In the spring of 1920, Grigori Voitinsky, a representative of the Communist International, introduced by Li Dazhao, came to Shanghai to meet Chen Duxiu. Here, they discussed the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party. In May, Mao Zedong came to Shanghai and visited Chen Duxiu here to discuss Marxism and the transformation of Hunan, among other issues. In June, Chen Duxiu, together with Li Hanjun, Yu Xiusong, Shi Cuntong, and Chen Gongpei, held a meeting here to establish the early Shanghai Communist organization, which was the first communist organization in China. Members of the early Shanghai Communist organization often met here to discuss party work and the labor movement. Through letters, sent representatives, and direct organization, they actively promoted the establishment of early communist organizations across the country. At the same time, New Youth became the official publication of the early Shanghai Communist organization. By the end of the year, Chen Duxiu went to Guangzhou to serve as the head of the Guangdong Provincial Education Committee, and the editorial work of New Youth was taken over by Chen Wangdao, with Shen Yanbing, Li Da, and Li Hanjun joining the work here. On November 7 of the same year, the early Shanghai Communist organization founded the monthly magazine The Communist, which was produced by Li Da living in the attic room upstairs.

After the convening of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Central Bureau of the CPC operated here. In September 1921, Chen Duxiu returned to Shanghai from Guangzhou to lead the work of the Central Bureau and frequently discussed party work here with Li Da and Zhang Guotao. Because New Youth often published articles introducing and promoting the October Revolution in Russia, Marxism, and socialism, it drew the attention of the French Concession police. In October 1921 and August 1922, Chen Duxiu was arrested twice here by the French Concession police. Afterward, the Central Bureau and Chen Duxiu moved elsewhere.

In 1951, the former site of the editorial office of New Youth was identified through investigations by Chen Wangdao and others, restored in 1952, and once opened internally as the Second Exhibition Hall of the Shanghai Revolutionary History Memorial. On May 26, 1959, and August 1980, it was designated as a protected cultural heritage site of Shanghai. It currently serves as a residential building.

Chen Duxiu (October 9, 1879 – May 27, 1942), originally named Qingtong, official name Qiansheng, courtesy name Zhongfu, pseudonym Shian, was from Huaining, Anhui (now Anqing). He was a great patriot, revolutionary, and reformer in modern Chinese history, a great democrat, and a great enlightenment thinker. He was the initiator of the New Culture Movement, the advocate of China’s first ideological emancipation movement of the 20th century; the commander-in-chief of the May Fourth Movement and its ideological guide; an active promoter of Marxism; and one of the most important founders of the Communist Party of China... More information about Chen Duxiu++