Editor's note: This series introduces the five historical icons of the Communist Party of China (CPC): Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, Li Da, Chen Wangdao and Mao Zedong.

Chen Wangdao (January 18, 1891-October 29, 1977) was a prominent Chinese scholar and educator. He was one of the founders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the first person to translate "The Communist Manifesto" to Chinese. 

Coming across 'The Communist Manifesto' 

As a young man, Chen studied in Japan from 1915 to 1919. 

File photo of Chen Wangdao

His experience studying abroad brought him into contact with communist ideas as "The Communist Manifesto," a new complete and systematic ideological work, had already been translated into Japanese. 

Chen returned to China just in time for the May Fourth Movement and committed himself to the New Culture Movement. 

Beginning of translation 

Chen went back to his hometown, Yiwu city in east China's Zhejiang Province, at the end of 1919 and began to translate "The Communist Manifesto" into Chinese. 

Sketch of Chen Wangdao doing the translation work

His translation work was based on the Japanese and English versions. 

Chen was a polyglot with a solid foundation in Chinese language and a full grasp of the basic Marxist theories. These skills made him suitable to undertake the task, which he completed in April 1920. 

First book on Marxism published in Chinese 

Before Chen finished the translation, only excerpts of "The Communist Manifesto" could be found in newspapers and periodicals. Chen’s translation was the first book on Marxism published in Chinese. 

File photo of "The Communist Manifesto" (Chinese edition)

His translation educated, inspired and encouraged tens of thousands of revolutionaries, who were able to understand the essence of Marxism in their own language. 

Mao Zedong revealed the process of his ideological growth in July 1936: Chen’s Chinese edition book (first published in August 1920) was one of the books that inspired his conviction in Marxism. 

Seeking social revolution

As Chen learned more about Marxism, he gave up the industrial salvation theory to save China and realized the necessity of social revolution. Later, he began to introduce Marxism to the public. 

Statue of Chen Wangdao /VCG Photo

In 1920, Chen became one of the founders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Communist Youth League of China. The next year, the CPC was established in Shanghai. 

In 1921, Chen served as the secretary of the CPC Shanghai Committee, becoming one of the earliest CPC leaders.