Site of the Training Class of the Guangdong People’s Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column

Site of the Training Class of the Guangdong People’s Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column

The Site of the Training Class of the Guangdong People’s Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column is located in Guanmeixia, Shuanggang Village, Houjie Town, Dongguan City, in the vicinity of the present-day Guangdong International Convention and Exhibition Center. The area lies at the waterway junction where the Dongjiang and Pearl River meet, characterized by flat terrain crisscrossed with rivers and canals, and was once a famous production site for “wan grass.” Before liberation, the waterways were surrounded by vast expanses of lush green vegetation, commonly known as “green gauze tents,” which offered good concealment and made it an ideal location for the activities of anti-Japanese guerrilla forces.

Between 1942 and 1943, the Guangdong People’s Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column utilized the thatched huts in the salt grass fields of Shuanggang Village to host a series of training sessions, including military-political cadre training classes, cadre rectification study sessions, and security cadre training courses. Each session was conducted in a concealed and secure environment, achieving good training results. In November 1943, the Guangdong People’s Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column decided to hold a military-political training class for dozens of people in Shuanggang Village, Dongguan. Due to the ongoing battles against attacks and “mopping-up” operations by Japanese puppet and die-hard troops, many units were unable to spare cadres for training, and only four political soldiers from the main force unit, the Zhujiang Squad, reported for duty. Nevertheless, the political department of the column insisted on proceeding with the class. During this military-political training session, Yang Kanghua, head of the political department of the column, taught courses on “The History of the Chinese Revolution” and “The Chinese Revolution and the Communist Party of China,” while Chen Kun, director of the political training office of the Bao’an Squad, lectured on “Party Building” and “Company Political Work.” The course lasted one month.

Due to the high level of concealment offered by the salt grass fields of Shuanggang Village, in March 1943, the political department of the column, the editorial office of the newspaper Forward, and the news radio station were all stationed there, making it a safe and reliable base of operations for the anti-Japanese guerrilla forces.

Houjie Town: Established during the mid-Xuanhe era of Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty (1119–1125 AD), Houjie Town has a history of over 800 years. Legend has it that Wang Tai from Putian, Fujian, settled here during his official travels and named the place “Houjie” (Rear Street) because it was located behind the “Junpu” (a market for military dependents). Over the dynasties, the population grew, industries flourished, and many talents emerged. The town also became known for its honest and kind-hearted people and prosperous life, hence the name “Houjie” (Thick or Prosperous Street). Since ancient times, Houjie has enjoyed thriving commerce and abundant local products, with specialties such as wan grass, sausages, and rice noodles being famous both at home and abroad.

Comprehensive Strength: Located on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Delta and within the Guangzhou-Hong Kong economic corridor... Detailed information about Houjie Town++