[One Word of the Day·The Spiritual Genealogy of Chinese Communists]The beacon of lofty ideals and beliefs guides the people’s army all the way forward
Xi Jinping: From the arduous struggle in Jinggang Mountains to the long march of endless dangers, from the smoke-filled anti-Japanese war to the devastating war of liberation, from the heroic struggle to resolutely defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity to rescue disasters and protect people’s lives and property. From the selfless dedication of supporting the country’s economic and social construction to the actual actions of safeguarding regional and world peace, the beacon of lofty ideals and conviction guides the people’s army all the way forward.
This passage comes from Xi Jinping’s speech at the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on August 1, 2017.
The establishment of the Jinggangshan base area ignited the sparks of the armed separation of workers and peasants, and explored for the Chinese revolution a correct path that no one had taken before, such as encircling cities from the countryside and seizing power by armed force.
The most precious wealth left in the Jinggangshan period is the Jinggangshan spirit. The most important aspect is firm belief, hard work, seeking truth from facts, daring to break new paths, relying on the masses, and being brave to win.
Today’s Jinggang Mountain is already a sacred place in the hearts of the people of the whole country, because it is not only the cradle of the Chinese revolution, but also the cradle of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
The difference between the Chinese peasant uprising and the western urban revolution is mainly in two aspects, the cultural characteristics of the agricultural economy and society and the material basis of the revolution. Therefore, as early as June 1927, Mao Zedong proposed “up on the mountain, next to the lake, take up the gun to defend the revolution.”
The characteristic roads mentioned here are mainly the political and ideological achievements nurtured on the mountain.
Jinggangshan has forged the confidence of officers and soldiers to strengthen the revolution. Facing the question of how long the red flag can last, Mao Zedong clearly proposed that “a single spark can start a prairie fire.”
Jinggangshan formed an effective way to inspire the people to revolutionize. The movement of “disposing of local tyrants and dividing fields” throughout the Agrarian Revolution was the source of the spiritual power that inspired tens of thousands of peasants to make revolution with the party.
Jinggangshan explored the most effective ways, methods, and measures for the internal construction of the People’s Army. These are fully reflected in the article “Struggle in Jinggangshan” by Mao Zedong:
“The material life of the Red Army is so meager and the fighting is so frequent that it can still be maintained. In addition to the role of the party, it depends on the implementation of democracy in the army.”
“The democratic system in the army will be an important weapon for destroying the feudal mercenary army.”
In other words, the three magic weapons of our army, “unity among officers and soldiers, unanimous army and civilians, and disintegration of the enemy’s army” have already taken shape during the Jinggangshan period. These have profoundly affected the entire process of our army’s revolution and construction.
Special expert in this issue: Professor Gong Fangbin