100th Anniversary of CPC: Party history education deepens in Yan'an, cradle of New China

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. In the lead up to the commemorations, our reporter Ning Hong pays a visit to one of the most important sites in the history of the Chinese Revolution. Yan'an is in Shaanxi Province, and served as the wartime stronghold of the communists. Party members there are learning about what's called the "Yan'an spirit."

A series of lectures are being held at Zao Yuan in Yan'an, the site where the founders of New China once lived and worked. Its attendance? Elite party members from across China.

WANG DONGCANG Teacher, China Executive Leadership Academy of Yan'an "Everything we do must be based on respecting the wishes of the people. We should unblock this channel through adequate research."

The field lectures also include an introduction on the lives of the founding leaders of the CPC.

XU SHUANGWU Member of the CPC "We can feel the atmosphere and hardship of those revolutionary years, including the personal cultivation of party pioneers such as Liu Shaoqi and Bethune. These were very impressive."

The 1930s and 1940s were a period of internal and external crises for China. A large number of people, including many progressive youth, travelled to Yan'an and joined the Party.

NING HONG Yan'an, Shaanxi Province "The ruling practice of the Communist Party of China in Yan'an won wide support and established the ruling system of New China. Up to now, a large number of Party members still come to Yan'an every year to learn from history, so they can guide the governance of the country."

This academy is now a leading center to educate leading Party cadres. And organizers say learning about the "Yan'an spirit" is central to their education.

SHE XIANG Teacher, China Executive Leadership Academy of Yan'an "The Yan'an spirit includes four connotations. The first is to firmly stick to the correct political direction; the second is freeing minds and seeking truth from facts. Third is the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, and the fourth is self-reliance, the entrepreneurial spirit."

ZHOU SHANSHAN Student, Executive Leadership Academy of Yan'an "In accordance with the requirements of the CPC Central Committee, all Party members will receive training in five years time. They will learn the latest theoretical research achievements, to learn new ideas and improve their abilities. And the education like this will continue."

With the CPC centenary falling on July 1, authorities in China are currently pushing the study of Party history, to deepen knowledge among cadres. Ning Hong, CGTN, Yan'an.