"Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang" Historical Exhibition Hall

"Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang" Historical Exhibition Hall

The "Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang" Historical Exhibition Hall serves as a patriotic education base and a national defense education base.

Situated within the Grain Management Office at the western end of Fangxiang Town, Hanjiang District, Yangzhou, the "Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang" Historical Exhibition Hall covers a total area of 3,500 square meters and is divided into three parts: the first is the living and office area where Zhang Aiping stayed during his time in Fangxiang; the second is the Zhang Aiping Memorial Park; and the third is the Zhang Aiping Photo Exhibition Hall in Fangxiang. Although the site is remote and has not been open for long, it is attracting increasing attention.

Comrade Zhang Aiping was born in 1910 in Da County, Sichuan. A lifelong soldier, he joined the Red Army, the Eighth Route Army, and the New Fourth Army in his early years. He was no stranger to northern Jiangsu—shortly after the failure of the Great Revolution, he came to the Tongruotai area to organize peasant uprisings, fight landlords, distribute land, develop peasant associations, and establish a red government. During the War of Resistance against Japan, Zhang Aiping served as Deputy Commander of the New Fourth Army’s Third Division and Deputy Commander of the Northern Jiangsu Military Region, Secretary of the Yancheng-Lianyungang Regional Committee, and Commander of the New Fourth Army’s Fourth Division. He operated extensively across northern Jiangsu, organizing and commanding numerous battles. After the liberation, he was awarded the rank of General and worked for many years in the military and national defense sectors. On September 2, 1965, in response to Chairman Mao’s call, General Zhang Aiping traveled from the northwest hydrogen bomb and missile test base to Fangxiang, a rural area in northern Jiangsu, to carry out a “Four Cleanups” educational campaign. Facing the political climate and social education situation at the time, Zhang Aiping, through field visits and deep reflection, developed a unique approach to the social education work in Fangxiang. He first promoted a culture of learning, starting with studying Chairman Mao’s works. As the study of Mao’s works deepened, the mental outlook of Fangxiang’s cadres and masses changed, social mores improved, and the enthusiasm of commune members for labor soared, with good deeds emerging one after another. Cadres at all levels conducted self-examinations, overcame shortcomings, and corrected mistakes. The People’s Daily ran a front-page story on the experience of the Fangxiang Brigade, which for a time attracted more than 160,000 visitors from 26 provinces across the country, greatly inspiring the cadres and masses of Fangxiang. Second, he focused on agricultural and sideline production, presiding over the development of a plan to alleviate poverty and enrich Fangxiang, and invited two agricultural technology experts to provide guidance. The General led the people in large-scale composting, water conservancy projects, and afforestation. With his advocacy and support, commune members began raising silkworms, poultry, and fish, engaging in handicrafts, and setting up starch mills, stone mills, and silkworm sheds to increase sideline income. Third, he emphasized cultural education and militia work, organizing a cultural propaganda team, establishing a broadcasting room, visiting primary and secondary schools to meet with teachers and students, and strengthening the militia organization. During his time in Fangxiang, General Zhang Aiping always maintained close ties with the masses. He visited households, talked with farmers, understood their conditions, worked alongside them, and helped solve various difficulties in their lives. The General formed deep bonds with the people of Fangxiang. When he left, nearly a thousand people spontaneously came to see him off, and the General bid them farewell with tears in his eyes.

Regarding this history and these stories of Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang, the Fangxiang Town Party Committee and government believed that this was a unique resource and valuable spiritual wealth of Fangxiang, which should be protected, preserved, and utilized. They decided to transform the living and office space where General Zhang Aiping stayed during his time in Fangxiang into an historical exhibition hall. This initiative received attention and support from the Hanjiang District Party Committee, which specially established a leadership group for the construction of the "Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang" Historical Exhibition Hall, headed by the Standing Committee member and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the District Party Committee. Sub-groups included an office, planning and construction group, relocation and resettlement group, and historical materials and artifacts collection group. Upon reporting by the District Party Committee and government, the "Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang" Historical Exhibition Hall was listed as a key project in the 2014 city museum city construction initiative.

The project was carried out in two phases: the first phase involved comprehensive maintenance and renovation of the office and living quarters where Zhang Aiping stayed during his time in Fangxiang, covering an area of about 300 square meters. This included four exhibition halls totaling over 90 square meters, displaying some of the historical materials and objects used by Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang; two rooms of over 30 square meters serving as both living and office spaces; and an outdoor courtyard of over 160 square meters, all renovated in a way that preserved the original appearance. The second phase of the project, carried out in 2015, covered an area of about 3,200 square meters and included the construction of a memorial park, with a focus on setting up a 540-square-meter photo exhibition hall featuring over 500 original vintage photos and hundreds of objects. The exhibition highlighted five major themes: “Servant’s Dedication, Pursuit of Truth, Integrity and Uprightness, Preparedness for Danger in Times of Peace, and Affection for Fangxiang.” In addition, a special anti-corruption TV art film titled "Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang" was produced. On June 18, 2015, the "Zhang Aiping in Fangxiang" Historical Exhibition Hall was officially opened. Leaders from the municipal and district party committees unveiled the plaque, and the eldest son of General Zhang Aiping, Zhang Xiang, and grandson Zhang Tao were specially invited to attend the opening ceremony. The historical exhibition hall has since become a patriotic education base in Hanjiang District, a clean governance culture education base in Yangzhou, a field teaching base for cadre training organized by the Yangzhou Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, a national defense education base in Yangzhou, and a national defense education base in Jiangsu Province.