Memorial Pavilion of the Wenzhou Independent Branch of the CPC

Memorial Pavilion of the Wenzhou Independent Branch of the CPC

The Memorial Pavilion of the Wenzhou Independent Branch of the CPC is a classic red tourism attraction.

In August 1924, during the First United Front between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, the Central Committee of the CPC sent Xie Wenjin from Yongjia to his hometown Wenzhou to establish party and league organizations. In December, the Wenzhou Independent Branch of the CPC (abbreviated as “Wenzhou Independent Branch”) was founded at Xinmin Primary School on Houyaxiang in the urban area, with Hu Shiyin serving as its secretary. This was the earliest CPC organization established in southern Zhejiang, initially under the direct leadership of the Party Central Committee and later placed under the leadership of the Shanghai District Committee. By the end of 1926, the number of party and league members had grown to over 50, spread across Yongjia, Rui’an, Pingyang, and Yueqing.

After its establishment, the “Wenzhou Independent Branch” actively promoted Marxism-Leninism, assisted the Kuomintang in forming local party branches, carried out the national revolutionary movement against imperialism and feudal warlords, supported the Northern Expedition, and made significant contributions to the revolutionary development of southern Zhejiang.

In April 1927, the right wing of the Kuomintang carried out a purge of Communists in Zhejiang, and the “Wenzhou Independent Branch” was dismantled. Key members such as Zheng Cichen and Cai Xiong were tragically executed. “Though the branch fell, its light endures.” The people of Wenzhou continued to fight bravely and relentlessly under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and finally welcomed the liberation of southern Zhejiang in May 1949.

The Memorial Pavilion of the Wenzhou Independent Branch of the CPC is located at the northwest intersection of Dagaoqiao and Renzixiang in Lucheng District, Wenzhou. The original site where the “Wenzhou Independent Branch” was founded was at Xinmin Primary School on Houyaxiang in Wenzhou City. It consisted of three single-story civilian houses, which were demolished during a certain period. In 2007, the Wenzhou Municipal Committee of the CPC and the Wenzhou Municipal People’s Government built the Memorial Pavilion of the Wenzhou Independent Branch of the CPC near the original founding site. The pavilion is a square-shaped antique structure, standing 7.6 meters tall and covering an area of 27 square meters. Inside the pavilion, a memorial plaque of the “Wenzhou Independent Branch” is hung overhead for visitors to pay their respects.

The Memorial Pavilion of the Wenzhou Independent Branch of the CPC is a cultural relics protection unit of Wenzhou City.

Source: Wenzhou Municipal Party Committee Party History Research Office of the CPC