Former Site of the First Expanded Meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s Central China Bureau

Former Site of the First Expanded Meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s Central China Bureau

The former site of the first expanded meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s Central China Bureau is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a classic red tourism destination.

The former site of the first expanded meeting of the Central China Bureau is located in Danjia Port, Yangzhai Town, beside the old course of the Yellow River. It is a renowned red tourism site within the Peach Blossom Spring Ecological Economic Zone of the old Yellow River course. This five-room brick-and-tile bungalow faces east and backs onto the Yellow River embankment. Over half a century of wind and rain has lent the old house a particularly venerable appearance. On the left side of the gate is embedded a purplish-red marble plaque inscribed with “Former Site of the First Expanded Meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s Central China Bureau.” This is a cultural relics protection unit of both Yancheng City and Jiangsu Province, with the plaque erected by the Municipal People’s Government on July 7, 1990. The house is 6 meters wide and 16 meters long, originally serving as classrooms for Dan’gang Primary School. To the right is a narrow drainage ditch, and to the left is an open space, while in front of the building lies a rectangular pond covering about 2 mu. A stretch of clear water mirrors the blue sky, adding a serene atmosphere to the old house.

From November 1941 to March 1942, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s Central China Bureau and the headquarters of the New Fourth Army were stationed in Danjia Port. Liu Shaoqi, Secretary of the Central China Bureau and Political Commissar of the New Fourth Army, lived in two east-facing rooms of a quadrangle courtyard at the home of Xu Jinhé, adjacent to the Jile Temple. Zeng Shan, head of the Organization Department of the Central China Bureau, stayed at his father-in-law’s house in Gangbei, with his five-year-old child A’luan being taken care of by his mother-in-law.

On January 20, 1942, Liu Shaoqi presided over the historically significant First Expanded Meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s Central China Bureau at Danjia Port Primary School. Attending the meeting as members of the Central China Bureau were comrades such as Chen Yi, Rao Shushi, and Zeng Shan. Official delegates and participants included heads of the party, government, and military from various bases in Central China, as well as leaders of the New Fourth Army headquarters, various divisions, and independent brigades—totaling 55 individuals. Representatives from the Fifth and Seventh Divisions in the Eyu Border Region and Chaowu Area could not attend due to transportation disruptions. According to elderly residents’ recollections: the cadres attending the meeting were housed among local villagers, with 95% of households in Dan’gang accommodating guests. Division Commander Huang Kecheng of the Third Division, wearing black-rimmed glasses, stayed at the home of Shan Ruan. Cao Diqiu arrived on horseback. Division Commander Luo Binghui of the Second Division came from Anhui—his tall, sturdy figure marked him as a seasoned veteran. He brought along a guard company and stayed in Gangbei (now on the Yellow River levee in today’s Orchard Village), where his guards escorted him to the meeting venue daily, passing by the home of Sun Guojun each time. Division Commander Peng Xuefeng of the Fourth Division also attended. There were many others whose names remain unknown. Security was tight during the meeting, with numerous guards deployed; four guards stood watch at each corner of the school. The main north-south road behind the school was closed off, and the windows of the venue were covered with blue cotton cloth. The five rooms were all interconnected and packed with attendees. The army headquarters had a telephone unit stationed at the home of Sun Baoxuan, responsible for external communications. Two kitchens were set up during the meeting period. The Sun Guojun household, originally with a dozen family members and four stoves, was borrowed to serve as the main kitchen, preparing meals for the guards outside the venue. The Sun Yuedong household served as the secondary kitchen, providing food for the meeting participants. At mealtimes, guards would collect meals from the kitchens and deliver them to the venue on trays.

The expanded meeting of the Central China Bureau opened on January 20 and concluded on March 5. Liu Shaoqi, representing the Central China Bureau, delivered the keynote report titled “The Current Situation, Basic Summary of Our Party and Army’s Three Years of Work in Central China, and Future Tasks.” Chen Yi gave a report on “Military Construction,” Rao Shushi spoke on “Party and Mass Work,” Zeng Shan addressed “Issues Regarding Political Power Construction,” Huang Kecheng discussed “Issues Concerning Army Political Work,” and responsible officials also gave presentations on work related to puppet troops, financial affairs, and culture and education. Delegates engaged in earnest discussions on these reports, reviewed lessons learned from their work, and conducted criticism and self-criticism.

During the meeting, the New An Traveling Troupe performed captivating programs for the conference, including the dance drama “March Against Fascism” and the play “Help Our Guerrilla Team.”

The conference concluded on March 5, with Comrade Liu Shaoqi delivering the closing summary. In the end, the conference passed a resolution fully endorsing Comrade Liu Shaoqi’s report and mandated its dissemination to party committees and army units at all levels, to serve as the future goal and action guideline.

Before the conclusion of the conference, Comrade Chen Yi announced the Central Committee’s notice recalling Comrade Shaoqi back to Yan’an. On the night before his departure, Comrade Shaoqi specially invited the cadres of Danjia Port and heads of each household for a farewell dinner to express his gratitude to the local hosts. On the day of his departure, leaders of the Central China Bureau and the New Fourth Army, cadres stationed at the Third Division headquarters, and local residents all gathered on the Yellow River embankment to see him off.

The First Expanded Meeting of the Central China Bureau, convened by Comrade Shaoqi in Danjia Port, held great significance for the consolidation and development of the Central China Anti-Japanese Base Area and for achieving victory in the struggle against Japan in Central China. Comrade Shaoqi’s contributions to establishing the Central China Anti-Japanese Base Area shine alongside the sun and moon, forever recorded in history.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units