The 9th SeminarChen YunContemporary China Held at Chen Yun Memorial

Before the approaching 110th anniversary of Comrade Chen Yun’s birth, the 9th Seminar on Chen Yun and Contemporary China with the theme of “Chen Yun in Key Periods in History” was held at Chen Yun Memorial from June 1 to 2. It’s co-organized by the Institute of Contemporary China Studies, Chen Yun Memorial and the Association of National History of the People’s Republic of China, to review the outstanding achievements of Comrade Chen Yun and deepen studies on his life and thoughts.

At the opening ceremony, Chen Weili, the eldest daughter of Comrade Chen Yun, read the remarks of Chen Yuan, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC and the eldest son of Comrade Chen Yun. Zhu Jiamu, former Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, former Director of the Institute of Contemporary China Studies and Executive Vice President of the Association of National History of the People’s Public of China, delivered the opening speech. Pan Min, deputy head of Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and the Director of the Office of Shanghai Spiritual Civilization Development Steering Commission addressed the welcome speech. Zhang Quanjing, former head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee and Consultant of the Association of National History of the People’s Public of China, Wang Tingda, former leader of the Discipline Inspection Group of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of CPC in the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Consultant of the Association, Li Hongfeng, former leader of the Discipline Inspection Group of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of CPC in the Ministry of Culture and Consultant of the Association delivered speeches respectively. Zhang Xingxing, Deputy Director of the Institute of Contemporary China Studies and General Secretary of the Association of National History of the People’s Public of China, read the letter from Jing Huimin, a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Director of the Institute of Contemporary China Studies. Over 100 people attended the meeting, including Liu Guosheng, former Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Baosteel Group, Qi Dexue, former Deputy Director of the Research Division on Strategy and Theory of Wars of PLA Academy of Military Sciences, Chen Weihua, the second daughter of Comrade Chen Yun, authors of the selected papers, staff from related departments and also journalists. Xu Jianping, Curator of Chen Yun Memorial, presided over the opening ceremony.

In his remarks, Chen Yuan reviewed the important contributions his father made to China's revolution, construction and reform in several defining moments. He noted that Comrade Chen Yun’s achievements were inseparable with his noble characters, including firm belief, working style of seeking truth from facts and serving the people. These are the spiritual treasures left by Comrade Chen.

Chen Yuan stressed that the Party was engaging in the great battle with many new historical features and advancing the strategic layout of “the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy.” At the same time, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation encountered an unprecedented opportunity to be realized. Standing at a new historical starting point, the Party shoulders responsibility entrusted by history and people and stands new tests under new historical conditions. He called on all Party members to inherit and carry forward the fine traditions, noble characters and spirits of veteran revolutionists; put the people first; to be responsible and positive, actively respond to the difficulties and challenges and unswervingly advance the socialism with Chinese characteristics developed by the old-generation revolutionists. He said that these were our historical responsibilities and the best way to remember the old generation.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Zhu Jiamu said that Chen Yun was a great proletarian revolutionary, a politician, an outstanding Marxist, the founder of China’s socialist economy and a tested, excellent Party and state leader. The 110th anniversary of Comrade Chen Yun’s birth was coming in some ten days. Zhu spoke highly of Comrade Chen Yun, because in his 70-year revolution, he was always loyal to the Party, the people, and to the socialism and communism no matter in favorable environment or adversity, at primary level or a high position. He held firmly to the truth and principles and the idea of being practical and realistic. He engaged in solid and hard work, held a right view on the relationship between individual and the Party by paying attention to the interests of the whole and promoting unity. He is a modest and prudent with little interest in fame and wealth. His virtues, like loyalty, courage, insight, responsibility, intelligence and talent, were even more prominent when the revolution and construction cause came to difficulties. He never took the credit when his suggestions and measures brought instant positive results. He never felt conceited when his voice was not accepted but proven to be right later. He never felt discouraged or complained about being criticized or belittled for those failed to be accept him in a long time. It’s of full evidence that Comrade Chen Yun was a proletarian revolutionary with loyalty, perseverance and honesty. He deserves the respect and love from the army, the Party and the people of all ethnicities. He is a role model that enjoys high reputation at home and abroad. Zhu hoped that the seminar could reach a new level under the sound political and economic environment created by the Party and the country led by the CPC Central Committee with President Xi Jinping at the core.

Pan Min, representing the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, congratulated on the opening of the Seminar. He explained the role of Liantang Town, Qingpu District in Comrade Chen Yun’s growth in childhood and teenage time, reviewed the peasant movements he led at Liantang Town and four investigations carried out at hometown after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Chen Yun still cared the region’s development in his late years. In addition, Pan introduced the series of events held by the Memorial to mark the 110th anniversary of Comrade Chen Yun’s birth and introduce his outstanding achievements.

On behalf of the Institute of Contemporary China Studies, Jing Huimin expressed sincere thanks to the officials and experts at the meeting. He said that it is of great significance to hold the 9th Seminar on Chen Yun and Contemporary China with the theme of “Chen Yun in Key Periods in History”.

Zhan Quanjing reviewed the proposals and works of Comrade Chen Yun at several defining moments in revolution, construction and reform. He said that Comrade Chen Yun’s contributions were attributed to his firm belief in communism, noble character of serving the people, mentality and method of seeking truth from facts, perseverance and strong will, investigation-based working method, and adherence to principles and disciplines, especially his ability to analyze and solve problems from the perspective of Marxism.

Wang Tingda delivered the speech with the name of “Learn from Comrade Chen Yun, and fulfill the Three Stricts and Three Earnests.” He said that veteran revolutionists were models of adhering to the principles, and Comrade Chen Yun was an outstanding one of them. The “Stricts” and “Earnests” of the Three Stricts and Three Earnests are also what Comrade Chen Yun paid great attention to. Therefore, he is a role model admired by all Party members.

Li Hongfeng pointed out that the foundation of Comrade Chen Yun’s great life rests on his persistence in staying with the facts and people, and always putting people first. These are the most valuable parts that we should learn from.

At the opening ceremony, the website of Chen Yun Studies, which was jointly created by the Research Center of Chen Yun and Contemporary China of the Association of National History and Chen Yun Memorial, was officially launched.

A total of 76 papers were selected for this seminar, over 60% of which were written by people under the age of 40. Ten articles are from Chen Yun Memorial, and their authors delivered speeches at the meeting.

The seminar lasted for and one and a half days and closed on June 2. At the closing ceremony, representatives of three groups presented their discussion results respectively. Zhang Xingxing made academic summary and Zhu Jiamu delivered closing address.

Afterwards, attendees went to the lobby of the main hall at Chen Yun Memorial for the opening ceremony of the Exhibition of Life and Achievements of Chen Yun and the Exhibition of the Historical Relics of Chen Yun.