Former Site of the Central Committee of the Socialist Youth League of China

Former Site of the Central Committee of the Socialist Youth League of China

The Former Site of the Central Committee of the Socialist Youth League of China is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a patriotic education base.

No. 6, Yuyang Lane, Rue Joffre (now Lane 567, Middle Huaihai Road), a two-story brick-and-wood structure in the Shikumen style. Construction of the lane began in late August 1915 (the 4th year of the Republic of China) and was completed approximately the following year to around 1919 (the 8th year of the Republic). The building faces south and was originally rented by Dai Jitao.

Related History

In the spring of 1920 (the 9th year of the Republic), Yang Mingzhai accompanied Grigori Voitinsky, a representative of the Communist International, to Shanghai to discuss the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party. They rented this house as their operational base and set up the Sino-Russian News Agency, later renamed the Chinese-Russian News Agency, with Yang serving as its director. In April, preparations for Shanghai’s first celebration of International Workers’ Day on May 1st were carried out here.

On August 22, at the advocacy of the leader of the Shanghai Communist Group, Yu Xiusong, Yuan Zhenying, Ye Tiandi, Jin Jiafeng, and seven others established the Shanghai Socialist Youth League here, with Yu Xiusong serving as secretary. In September of the same year, the Foreign Language School was founded as a cover, with a sign reading “Foreign Language School” in white characters on a black background hanging at the entrance. Early the next year, the Socialist Youth League of China was established, and its central committee was based here. On April 29, it was searched by the French Concession police, who confiscated propaganda materials prepared by the May Day Celebration Committee. Later, due to Yu Xiusong’s trip to Russia to attend the 2nd Congress of the Communist Youth International, the Socialist Youth League suspended activities in May. The Chinese-Russian News Agency remained operational until August 1, 1925 (the 14th year of the Republic).

In 1921 (the 10th year of the Republic), the lane was renamed Mingdeli. In 1957, the site was restored to its original appearance, and the lane’s original name was reinstated. Further renovations were carried out in 1987. The east and west attic rooms on the upper floor were respectively the bedrooms of Yu Xiusong and Yang Mingzhai. Yang’s bedroom also served as the office of the Chinese-Russian News Agency, the parlor served as the office of the central committee, and the downstairs parlor was used as a classroom for the Foreign Language School. Behind the classroom were the kitchen and dining room.

Main Activities of the Central Committee

One of the main activities of the central committee was the work of the Foreign Language School, which aimed to send aspiring youths to Russia for study to train revolutionary cadres. It is considered the earliest cadre school of the Party. Yang Mingzhai served as the principal and taught Russian, while Yu Xiusong acted as the secretary handling administrative affairs. Kuznetsova, wife of Voitinsky, taught Russian, Li Da taught Japanese, Li Hanjun taught French, and Yuan Zhenying taught English. Wang Yuanling was later hired as another Russian teacher. Although enrollment was nominally open, students were actually recommended by local communist groups or early communists. Students included ..., Luo Yinong, Ren Bishi, Xiao Jingguang, Xu Zhizhen, Wang Yifei, Wang Shouhua, Ke Qingshi, and over 50 others. Starting in the spring of 1921 (the 10th year of the Republic), young students were successively dispatched to study at the Communist University of the Toilers of the East in Moscow, Soviet Union, with the dispatches ending in May of the same year. Dozens of students were sent in total.

Current Status

On May 26, 1959, it was designated as a Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit. On March 4, 1961, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Visit Guide

Address: No. 1–6, Lane 567, Middle Huaihai Road, Luwan District (next to Isetan in Huaihai Middle Road)

Transportation: Take Metro Line 1 and get off at either Huangpi South Road Station or South Shaanxi Road Station (midway between the two stations). Buses 02, 146, 911, 920, 926, and 945 can also be used to reach the site.

Nearby attractions include the Puiwen Apartments (Women’s Products Store) and Yan’an Road Leisure Street.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units