Xinzhou Martyrs' Cemetery

　　Xinzhou Town is situated in the eastern part of Yangjiang City, 41 kilometers from the city center. It is a mountainous border region where Taishan, Enping, and Yangjiang intersect, bordered by Beitou Town of Taishan to the east, Sanshan Town to the west, Dongping Town to the south, and Hengbei Town of Enping to the north, covering an area of 254 square kilometers. The town has a total population of 55,651 and administers 16 village committees and 1 neighborhood committee.

　　 The revolutionary struggles of the old base areas in Xinzhou Town and Yangdong County began alongside the organization of the 0 District Committee during the Great Revolution, laying the seeds of revolution that would later blossom into full-scale guerrilla warfare during the Liberation War. Guerrilla fighters from these revolutionary bases participated in over 60 battles under the 0 Coastal District Working Committee and the Coastal Column’s Enyang Independent Regiment between 1949, with 19 martyrs sacrificed in the fight for liberation. Their contributions were immense.

　　To commemorate the glorious combat history of the Coastal Column and the Enyang Independent Regiment and to honor the revolutionary martyrs, on June 23, 1953, under the advocacy of the Xinzhou District Party Committee and People's Government of 0 Yangjiang County, a martyrs' monument was established on Heitai Ridge southwest of Xinzhou Market. Initially built with stacked stones, it was officially constructed into a proper monument in 1968 along with a martyrs’ archway. In 1980, the site was expanded to approximately 8,000 square meters and enclosed with walls. The current new monument was rebuilt in 1988. Its base platform covers an area of 71 square meters, with the monument pedestal measuring 3.30 meters long, 2.10 meters wide, and 2 meters high. The main body of the monument stands 6.50 meters tall with a face width of 2.40 meters. On the front is an imitation of Mao Zedong’s calligraphy reading “Eternal Glory to the Revolutionary Martyrs” in eight bold black characters. At the center of the pedestal is a rectangular marble plaque inscribed with the names of 19 martyrs who sacrificed for the revolution, including Gao Shineng. In front of the monument base, on a stretch of green lawn, lies a 3.36-meter-wide, 88.65-meter-long cement pathway leading directly into the martyrs' cemetery. On both sides of the cemetery entrance are imitations of Mao Zedong’s handwriting reading “Live a Great Life, Die a Glorious Death” in eight large characters, while the lintel above is engraved with the four bold black characters “Martyrs' Cemetery.” Behind the monument lies a spacious tomb chamber with a volume of 27 cubic meters, housing the remains of revolutionary martyrs who fell in battle during the Liberation War and the early anti-bandit campaigns. Towering pines and cypresses stand before the monument, guarding the immortal souls.

　　 The solemn and dignified Xinzhou Martyrs' Cemetery in Yangdong has now developed into a well-established patriotic education base.

　　 Honoring the glorious history of our predecessors’ struggles and commemorating revolutionary martyrs is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation. For decades, ever since the establishment of Xinzhou Martyrs' Cemetery, local middle and primary schools have designated it as a patriotic education base for students. Every year during Tomb-Sweeping Day, memorial activities are held, where veteran revolutionaries share stories of the struggle, paying tribute to the martyrs. Each year, the Xinzhou Town Party Committee and Organization Office conduct new party member oath ceremonies at the cemetery, providing essential Party lessons. Neighboring towns and villages also organize students to visit and pay respects during Tomb-Sweeping Day to receive patriotic education. Veterans who fought alongside the Coastal Column and the Enyang Independent Regiment in battles such as Longtan, Mashan, and Xiashui gather annually to sweep the cemetery. The Yangjiang City and Yangdong County governments frequently organize senior cadres to participate in large-scale commemorative events at the cemetery. During Tomb-Sweeping Day and Double Ninth Festival, the cemetery welcomes over 8,000 visitors from Yangjiang City, Yangdong County, and surrounding villages to participate in activities commemorating the martyrs’ glorious struggles and honoring their memory.

　　 With strong support from the Yangdong County Committee, County Government, superior civil affairs bureaus, the Town Committee, and Town Government, the Xinzhou Martyrs' Cemetery has been renovated and now features a renewed and well-developed appearance. It has become a site for commemorating the martyrs’ glorious struggles, honoring their sacrifice, and conducting patriotic education. It has also been designated as a Patriotic Education Base of Yangdong County.

　　 Currently, the Xinzhou Martyrs' Cemetery is well-managed and regularly open to the public. Three permanent management staff reside in the service building next to the cemetery. The grounds are kept tidy, with green landscaping covering 7,626 square meters, accounting for 95% of the site. Over the past three years, 186,000 yuan has been invested, including 86,000 yuan from local government and 100,000 yuan from relevant departments, ensuring the cemetery continues to play a significant role in honoring revolutionary martyrs, promoting revolutionary traditions and patriotism, and advancing socialist spiritual civilization.