Chongqing was an important hub for work-study talents preparing to study in France. Many people came into contact with Marxism there and eventually established their Marxist beliefs. A large number of outstanding talents, including Deng Xiaoping and Nie Rongzhen, traveled to the wider world from Chongqing. On August 27, 1920, Deng who was then only 16 years old, took a boat from Chongqing with 83 classmates and bravely embarked on the journey of work-study in France.