China's Communist Forerunner RememberedA symposium was held in Beijinge Friday commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Zhao Shiyan, one of the founders of the Communist Party of China (CPC).Li Peng, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, made a key-note speech at the meeting, calling Zhao an outstanding proletarian revolutionary in the early years of the CPC and an eminent leader of the workers' movement in China. In his address, Li recalled the revolutionary life of Zhao who cherished strong patriotism from childhood and participated in the great "May 4" Movement against imperialism in 1919. In 1920-21, Zhao, together with other Chinese communist forerunners like Zhou Enlai, founded communist groups during their stay in Europe. Later, he became one of the leaders of the General Branch of the CPC in Europe. Zhao also wrote many articles to spread Marxism in China and led over 100 anti-imperialism strikes in different parts of the country and three major workers' uprisings in Shanghai. On July 2, 1927, Zhao was arrested and, later, executed by the Kuomintang regime headed by Chiang Kai-shek. Li called on people to learn from the advanced thinking and firm beliefs of Zhao, who devoted his life to communism. An intellectual, Zhao became an outstanding communist, Party official and leader of the workers' movement by integrating himself with workers and peasants, Li noted. |
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