Site of Zhou Enlai’s Speech During the Eastern Expedition

Site of Zhou Enlai’s Speech During the Eastern Expedition

One of the sites of Zhou Enlai’s speeches during the Eastern Expedition, the Dongguan Chamber of Commerce Branch, is located at Ruan Yongwei in Guancheng. Built in 1854 (the fourth year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty), it was originally a memorial hall erected by then-county magistrate Hua Tingjie and local gentry to honor 130 village militiamen, including Lu Canqiong, who died fighting against the rebels of the Tiandihui. In 1910 (the second year of the Xuantong reign), Dongguan businessmen Ye Yongchang, Zhang Jiayan, and others established the Dongguan Chamber of Commerce Branch here.

In February 1925, the Guangdong Revolutionary Government launched its first Eastern Expedition. On February 5, the headquarters of the Whampoa Military Academy moved to the Dongguan County Government. On February 6, a welcome assembly for the revolutionary army was held at the Dongguan Chamber of Commerce Branch. Chiang Kai-shek, president of the Whampoa Military Academy, and Zhou Enlai, director of the Political Department, were among the invited guests. At the meeting, Zhou Enlai delivered a speech explaining the significance and purpose of the expedition: “This military campaign is launched to relieve the people of their suffering. But relying solely on our forces would be insufficient. Without the support of the people, we cannot shoulder this great responsibility. Therefore, we sincerely hope that the people of Dongguan will join hands with us to ensure the success of the revolution.” Zhou’s speech was met with warm applause. That evening, a military-civilian gathering was held in Dongguan City, attended by over 1,000 people, where Zhou Enlai gave another speech.

After the liberation of Dongguan, the memorial hall was repurposed as the outpatient department of the Guancheng Health Clinic and was later converted into an apartment building in the late 20th century.

(Tan Zhiheng, Editorial Office of Guancheng District Chronicles)