Zaxi Meeting Site
Subtitle: A Journey Through Revolutionary History at the Zaxi Conference Memorial
1. Introduction: A Pivotal Site in China's Revolutionary Landscape Nestled in the northern part of Zhaxi Town, Weixin County, within the Zhaotong region of Yunnan Province, lies the Zaxi Conference Memorial. This solemn and historically charged site, encompassing a total area of 3,824 square meters, stands as a protected cultural relic of provincial significance in Yunnan. More than just a museum, it is a tangible portal into a critical juncture of the Chinese Communist Revolution. The site's profound importance was underscored in 1985 when Hu Yaobang, then General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, personally inscribed the name "Site of the Zaxi Conference" during an inspection tour of Zhaotong. The memorial complex is thoughtfully composed of three integral parts: the historic conference site itself, a modern exhibition hall, and a monument dedicated to the Red Army martyrs, together offering visitors a comprehensive and immersive narrative of a period that reshaped the course of modern Chinese history.
2. The Historical Crucible: The Zaxi Conference of 1935 2.1. The Long March Arrives in Weixin The county of Weixin, formerly known as Zaxi, holds a place of honor in revolutionary annals as a key location along the route of the epic Long March. In the harsh winter of February 1935, the weary Central Red Army, having broken through encirclements, regrouped in this remote area. It was here, amidst the strategic exigencies of their grueling retreat and transfer, that the leadership convened what would become known as the pivotal Zaxi Conference.
2.2. Decisions That Reshaped Leadership and Strategy The meetings held at Zaxi were not a single event but a series of crucial decisions that solidified and acted upon the unresolved issues from the earlier Zunyi Conference. The outcomes were transformative for the Communist revolutionary effort. Firstly, a significant leadership change was formalized: Luo Fu (Zhang Wentian) replaced Bo Gu (Qin Bangxian) as the principal responsible figure within the Party Central, a move that crucially ensured the military command of Comrade Mao Zedong would be upheld and executed without obstruction. This step is widely regarded by historians as the moment that effectively established Mao Zedong's leadership position across both the Party and the Red Army.
Secondly, the conference formally reviewed and passed the "Resolution of the Zunyi Conference," officially titled "Summary Resolution of the Central Committee on Opposing the Enemy's Fifth 'Encirclement and Suppression' Campaign." This document provided the ideological and strategic justification for the new direction. Thirdly, facing practical challenges, the leadership made decisive organizational and strategic moves: the army was reorganized and streamlined for greater mobility, efforts to recruit and expand the Red Army were intensified, and, most importantly, the bold strategic decision was made to turn eastward and march back into Guizhou, a maneuver that would later prove masterful.
2.3. A Legacy of Persistent Struggle Beyond the immediate needs of the main force, the Zaxi Conference also laid groundwork for prolonged revolutionary activity in the region. The establishment of the Chuannan (Southern Sichuan) Special Committee of the Communist Party and the affiliated Red Army Chuannan Guerrilla Column was ordered. This force was tasked with creating diversions, mobilizing local support, and continuing the struggle after the main army's departure. The Yunnan Detachment of this column, in particular, exhibited extraordinary resilience, persisting in armed struggle for over a decade after the main Red Army forces had moved on. Their prolonged and arduous campaign represents a glorious, if often less-heralded, page in the history of the Chinese revolution, embodying the deep roots and enduring spirit the movement fostered.
3. Exploring the Memorial Complex: A Tripartite Tribute 3.1. The Historic Conference Site At the heart of the complex is the original venue where the historic meetings took place. Preserved to reflect its 1935 condition, this location allows visitors to stand in the very rooms where debates and decisions of monumental consequence occurred. The modest setting powerfully contrasts with the scale of the decisions made within, offering a poignant sense of connection to the past.
3.2. The Exhibition Hall The modern exhibition hall provides context and narrative depth. Through a curated collection of historical photographs, documents, military maps, personal artifacts, and detailed explanatory panels, the hall systematically guides visitors through the causes, proceedings, and far-reaching effects of the Zaxi Conference. It connects this local event to the broader narrative of the Long March and the Chinese Revolution, detailing the roles of key figures and the experiences of ordinary soldiers and local civilians.
3.3. The Red Army Martyrs Monument Dominating the site in spirit and stature is the Red Army Martyrs Monument. This solemn structure serves as a permanent tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and ultimate price paid by those who fought in the region. It invites reflection on the human cost of the revolutionary struggle and stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance and respect, ensuring that the legacy of the heroes who passed through Zaxi is honored for generations to come.
4. Visitor Information and Significance For visitors seeking to engage with this chapter of history, the Zaxi Conference Memorial is accessible in Zhaxi Town, Weixin County. Prospective visitors can contact the site for the latest information on opening hours, guided tours, or special exhibitions at 0870-2123079. A visit to the memorial is more than an educational excursion; it is an opportunity to walk on historic ground, to comprehend the tangible realities behind strategic decisions in revolutionary history, and to understand how a brief stopover during a desperate military retreat became a foundational moment for leadership and strategy. It illuminates the complex interplay between local history and national destiny, making it an essential destination for anyone interested in the profound transformations of 20th-century China. The preserved buildings, curated exhibits, and silent monument collectively tell a story of resilience, ideological shift, and the making of a legend that continues to resonate.