Venue: Temporary Exhibition Hall, 2nd Floor, Guangzhou Lu Xun Museum

Date: January 20 – May 26, 2024

On January 20, 2024, The Power of Ideals: Chinese Communists in Guangdong during the First KMT-CPC Cooperation opened in the Temporary Exhibition Hall on the 2nd floor of the Guangzhou Lu Xun Museum, running until May 12, 2024.

From June 12 to 20, 1923, the Third National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in Guangzhou, which passed the decision for all Communist Party members to join the Kuomintang (KMT) as individuals, establishing the form of cooperation for the united front. From January 20 to 30, 1924, with the help and active participation of Chinese Communists, the First National Congress of the KMT was held in Guangzhou. It passed the Manifesto of the First National Congress of the Kuomintang, which reinterpreted the Three Principles of the People, marking the formal establishment of the First KMT-CPC Cooperation.

During this period, numerous pioneering members of the CPC devoted themselves to Guangdong’s revolutionary landscape. They forged a united front for the democratic revolution, ignited the sparks of the peasant movement, launched labor movement, developed youth activism, promoted women’s liberation, and prepared revolutionary armed forces. With ideals in their hearts and vigor in their stride, they braved storms and shouldered historic responsibilities, making Guangdong the center of the Great Revolution.

To commemorate the centenary of the First KMT-CPC Cooperation, review its practice in Guangdong, and honor the contributions of CPC pioneers active in the province during the Great Revolution, the Guangdong Museum (Guangzhou Lu Xun Museum) has organized this special exhibition.

Featuring 125 exhibits, the exhibition uses photographs, documents, artifacts, and multimedia installations to present the stories of 32 CPC members, tracing six major themes: establishing the united front, launching the labor movement, sparking the peasant movement, developing youth activism, promoting women’s liberation, and preparing revolutionary armed forces. Together, these stories vividly portray the dedication, endeavors, and achievements of early Communists in Guangdong during the First KMT-CPC Cooperation.

These 32 pioneering figures represent countless CPC members who, guided by their communist ideals, explored new paths and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the revolutionary cause. Their actions formed a powerful force that advanced the national revolution, fueled the Great Revolution, and ushered China into a new historical era. Their contributions remain an integral part of China’s revolutionary history.

The light of ideals endures; the light of faith endures. Revisiting the turbulent yet inspiring years of a century ago and retracing the CPC’s glorious journey, we are reminded to inherit their revolutionary spirit, uphold lofty ideals, strengthen conviction, and strive unremittingly.

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