Former Site of the Second National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic

　　The auditorium was supervised by the Preparatory Committee for the “Second National Congress,” with Qian Zhuangfei designing the blueprints. Yuan Fuqin, director of the General Affairs Office, oversaw implementation, and over 200 technicians and construction workers were selected from Jiangxi and Fujian to carry out the actual construction. Construction began on August 1st. Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central Government, often visited the site to encourage the workers. The workers said, “This is where our elected representatives will gather. Please rest assured, Chairman, we will complete the auditorium on time and to high quality.” Indeed, in just four months, a magnificent building rose from the ground. Its overall shape was also very unique—when viewed from above, it resembled the eight-pointed cap worn by Red Army soldiers. The entire structure used 48 wooden pillars, which were all original large tree trunks. To prevent detection by enemy aircraft, the branches at the tops of the trees were left intact, a very creative touch. The auditorium could accommodate over 2,000 people on both its upper and lower levels and had three notable features: first, there were many doors for easy evacuation, with a total of 17 doors around the perimeter; second, the sightlines were excellent—no matter where you sat in the hall, you could see the stage; third, the acoustics were outstanding—you could clearly hear speeches on stage without a microphone. Feel free to try it out. Additionally, about 10 meters north of the auditorium, an underground ring-shaped shelter was built that could hold over a thousand people. Above the main entrance of the auditorium was embedded a 17-character inscription in regular script reading “Auditorium of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic” written by Huang Yaguang, along with a globe design he created.

　　From January 22 to February 1, 1934, the Second National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic was held in the auditorium. There were 693 official delegates, 83 alternate delegates, and approximately 1,500 observers. Each delegate received two mimeographed booklets: Mao Zedong’s “Investigation of Changgang Township” and “Investigation of Caixi Township.” At the meeting, Mao Zedong delivered the opening address and gave a work report on the Central Government’s activities over the previous two years. The congress discussed and passed resolutions on the “Constitutional Outline,” “Soviet Construction,” “Red Army Construction,” “Economic Construction,” as well as decisions regarding the national emblem, national flag, and military flag. It elected 175 members to the Central Executive Committee, including Mao Zedong, Xiang Ying, and others, along with 36 alternate members. On February 1st, the “Second National Congress” successfully concluded.

　　On February 3rd, the First Meeting of the Second Central Executive Committee was held in the auditorium. Mao Zedong was elected Chairman of the Central Executive Committee, and Zhang Wentian was elected Chairman of the People's Committee. The composition of the People's Committee was expanded from the original nine departments and one bureau to include additional ministries for national economy and food supply.

　　In addition, many important meetings were held in the auditorium, such as the First National Political Work Conference of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army and the Congress of Red Army Families.

　　After the main force of the Red Army embarked on the Long March, the 10th and 36th Divisions of the Nationalist Army’s Eastern Route “Encirclement and Suppression” forces occupied Ruijin and demolished the auditorium. The auditorium was rebuilt in 1956, and its interior now displays restored historical scenes from the “Second National Congress.” It is now a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.