Echoes of history: the Zunyi Meeting and its enduring legacy in China

On a quiet street in Zunyi, southwest China's Guizhou Province, a two-story building stands out. This is the site of the historic Zunyi Meeting, where in January 1935, leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) gathered in a modest room just 27 square meters in size, illuminated only by oil lamps.

These leaders, with limited resources and surrounded by the harsh realities of war, made decisions that largely determined the fate of the CPC at a critical juncture for its survival. The meeting proved to be a pivotal moment in the history of China, with the CPC regaining its momentum and ultimately achieving victory.

Just beside the building, a towering mulberry tree, standing at over 10 meters high, adds to the scene. This tree has quietly observed decades of history unfold and has become a symbolic witness to the great decisions made at the site. Almost every image captured of the site includes both the building and this tree, reinforcing their inseparable connection in the hearts of the Chinese people.

Since opening to the public, the site of the Zunyi Meeting has drawn over 100 million visitors from around the world, eager to hear the stories of how the Red Army, against all odds, managed to turn defeat into victory. The stories shared there are not just about history, but about the resilience, determination, and spirit that carried the Party through.

The significance of this place was underscored when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Zunyi in 2015 and 2021.

Of all the places the Red Army reached, it spent the longest time and had the most extensive presence in Guizhou, leaving later generations an enduring spiritual legacy, Xi said.

The Zunyi Meeting's distinct features, including the establishment of the correct CPC Central Committee leadership, as well as the innovative formulation and implementation of strategies that suited the Chinese revolution's characteristics, still have significance today, according to Xi.

From the perspective of modern China, the spirit of the Zunyi Meeting remains profoundly relevant. The decisions made in that small room 90 years ago set the foundation for the leadership of Mao Zedong.

The meeting steered the Party away from potential disaster, charting a course for the Party to follow its own direction. This marked the beginning of the Party's focus on solving the unique problems of the Chinese revolution and adapting its strategies as needed. Today, the spirit of the Zunyi Meeting continues to inspire the Party's approach to navigating the complexities of both domestic and international challenges, emphasizing practical solutions and a willingness to reform.

In today's rapidly changing world, the ideals born from that meeting remind the CPC to remain committed to truth, continually innovate, and to stay closely connected with the people. It also serves as a call to stay resolute in the face of adversity, much like the Party did during the Long March.

For many, the Zunyi Meeting represents the enduring power of hope, determination, and strategic thinking in overcoming even the most daunting challenges. Its spirit continues to guide China on its path toward future achievements, just as it did for the revolutionaries who once gathered beneath that towering mulberry tree.