Former Site of the Fujian Provincial Soviet Government

Former Site of the Fujian Provincial Soviet Government

The Former Site of the Fujian Provincial Soviet Government is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, a classic red tourism destination, and a patriotic education base.

On March 18, 1932, the First Congress of Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers of Fujian Province was grandly held here. More than 100 delegates attended the conference, representing the Fujian Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial Youth League Committee, and various workers' and peasants' mass organizations. A representative from the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic, Ren Bishi, was present to attend and guide the conference. Zhang Dingcheng presided over the conference. The conference passed a series of important resolutions and declarations such as "Issues on Land" and "Implementation of Labor Issues," officially proclaiming the establishment of the Fujian Provincial Soviet Government. It elected 35 members to the Executive Committee, 13 alternate members, 9 members to the Presidium Executive Committee—with Zhang Dingcheng elected as Chairman, Que Jiming and Zhang Siyuan as Vice Chairmen. Other former chairmen included Zhong Xunren and Wu Bixian. The "Provincial Soviet" was composed of eight departments: Land, Labor, Culture, Workers’ and Peasants’ Inspection, Food, Judiciary, Internal Affairs, and Finance, with later additions including the National Economy Department and the Armed Mobilization Department. The establishment of the "Provincial Soviet" marked the revolutionary struggle in the Fujian Soviet Area entering a period of full flourish. Changting became the capital of the Fujian Red Region and the center of politics, military, economy, and culture. It made indelible contributions to waging revolutionary war and building and defending the Soviet Area.

In October 1934, after the main forces of the Red Army embarked on the Long March, the headquarters of the 36th Division was stationed here. Qu Qiubai, one of the early leaders of the Chinese Communist Party, an outstanding proletarian revolutionary, theorist, and propagandist, was unfortunately arrested. On May 9, 1935, he was imprisoned here and heroically martyred on June 18 at Luohan Ridge. During his imprisonment in Changting, despite the enemy’s various temptations and attempts to persuade him to surrender, Qu Qiubai remained steadfast and fearless, fully demonstrating the noble character of a Communist and his boundless loyalty to the revolutionary cause. At the same time, he fought the enemy with his pen, writing many poems, carving numerous seals, and composing the introspective autobiographical work "Superfluous Words," reflecting Comrade Qu Qiubai’s courageous self-examination and the open-hearted integrity of a Communist.

This site was designated as part of the Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in 1988. It houses permanent exhibitions such as "Fujian Soviet Capital – The Revolutionary History Exhibition of Changting," "The History of the Hakka People in Tingzhou," "The History Exhibition of the Fujian Provincial Soviet Government," and "Exhibition of Generals of Min Origin from the Republic." In 1996, it was awarded the title of "National Excellent Patriotic Education Base" by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.