Comrades and friends:

Today, with great reverence, we hold a symposium here to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Comrade Chen Pixian's birth, deeply remember his glorious achievements, and deeply study his noble style of unremitting struggle for the Chinese revolution, construction, reform, and rule of law.

Before attending today's symposium, I once again reviewed the life story of Comrade Chen Pixian and was deeply educated. Comrade Chen Pixian is a member of the CPC, a long tested and loyal communist fighter, and a proletarian revolutionary. His life was a revolutionary life, a glorious life, and a life of wholeheartedly serving the people. The Party and the people deeply miss him!

Comrade Chen Pixian was born in March 1916 in a peasant family in Shanghang County, Fujian Province. At the age of 13, he joined the Communist Youth League of China. At the age of 15, he became a member of the CPC. In his early years, he was mainly engaged in youth organization and leadership. In October 1934, after the Long March, the main force of the Central Red Army, he accepted organizational arrangements and stayed in the border areas of Jiangxi and Guangdong to carry out guerrilla warfare. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, he was ordered to search for and contact *, and did a lot of work for the reorganization of the guerrilla forces in southern Jiangxi to resist Japan. In 1939, he served as the Secretary of the Youth Committee of the Southeast Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. In 1940, he participated in the establishment of the Sino Soviet Anti Japanese Base and served as a leader. During the Liberation War, he served as a leader in the Central China Branch of the Communist Party of China, as well as in the central and northern Jiangsu provinces. In September 1946, after the Central China Field Army voluntarily withdrew from Central China, Huai'an, and Huaiyin areas, he stayed behind to lead the struggle behind enemy lines in Central China according to the decision of the Central China Branch. In April 1949, he crossed the river with the army and headed south, serving as the Secretary of the Party Committee of Sunan District and the Political Commissar of Sunan *. In February 1952, he was transferred to work in Shanghai and successively served as the Fourth Secretary (Acting Secretary), Second Secretary, and Secretariat Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee. At the 8th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, he was elected as a candidate member of the Central Committee. In April 1965, he presided over the comprehensive work of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and became the Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee in November. During the Cultural Revolution, he was brutally persecuted and imprisoned for up to 8 years, and his relatives were also implicated. Starting from February 1977, he successively held leadership positions in Yunnan and Hubei. At the 11th and 12th National Congresses of the Communist Party of China, he was elected as a member of the Central Committee. In September 1982, he was elected as the Secretary of the Central Secretariat and transferred to work at the Central Committee in October. From May 1983 to July 1985, he served as the Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission. In June 1983, he was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Sixth National People's Congress. From November 1987 to October 1992, he served as an executive member of the Central Advisory Committee.

Comrade Chen Pixian has made important contributions to our party's struggle for national independence and people's liberation. As early as when he was working in the Communist Youth League in Fujian, he mobilized a large number of young people to join the Red Army, and his work was vibrant and colorful. He participated in leading the guerrilla warfare along the Jiangxi Guangdong border, crushed the enemy's multiple "clearances", and preserved the spark of the Party in the south. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, based on Comrade Mao Zedong's strategic thinking of establishing rural base areas and surrounding cities from the countryside, he deeply mobilized the masses, created an anti Japanese democratic regime, led the anti Japanese military and civilians to engage in a life and death struggle with the puppet army, crushed the enemy's multiple "sweeps" and "clearances", and expanded the Soviet Central Base Area to over 20000 square kilometers with a population of more than 8 million. He also actively implemented the instructions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, vigorously promoted economic work in the central Soviet base areas, carried out large-scale production movements, and solved the financial difficulties of the Party, government, military, and people. During the War of Liberation, he organized and commanded the military and civilians in Central China, undertaking heavy tasks of front-line support and logistical support. At the same time, he took the initiative to eliminate the enemy's active forces, effectively responded to the front battlefield, and consolidated and expanded the base areas. After the People's Liberation Army shifted to a strategic offensive, he led the troops in the central China interior line to coordinate with the Shandong Corps, providing strong support for the main force's exterior line operations. In the Huaihai Campaign, he led the organization of military and civilian support for the front line in Central China, mobilized 1.07 million migrant workers, and supplied 110 million kilograms of grain, making immortal contributions to the victory of the Liberation War.

Comrade Chen Pixian has created outstanding achievements for China's socialist construction. During his three years of work in southern Jiangsu, he led the establishment of the People's Political Power in the newly liberated areas, presided over the comprehensive work of the Party, government, and army, carried out land reform, healed war wounds, restored and developed the national economy, and was praised by Comrade Mao Zedong. During his work in Shanghai, he resolutely implemented the policies of the Party Central Committee and made important contributions to the construction of a socialist new Shanghai. Faced with the arduous task of revitalizing everything at the beginning of liberation, he assisted Comrade Chen Yi in suppressing rebellion, cracking down on drugs, banning gambling and prostitution, stabilizing market prices, restoring normal production and life order, and successfully completing socialist transformation. He firmly grasped the central link of development in accordance with the requirements of the central government, fully mobilized the enthusiasm of workers, intellectuals, and business people, actively explored Shanghai's own development path, promoted the strengthening of industrial construction, scientific and technological construction, and urban construction, and achieved rapid economic and social development in Shanghai. He also worked with other comrades of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee to tap into the potential of Shanghai's existing industrial equipment, fully supporting national key projects, the development of emerging cities, and the construction of border areas.

Comrade Chen Pixian has devoted a great deal of effort to reform, opening up, and socialist modernization construction. During his work in Yunnan and Hubei, he firmly supported and implemented the correct line, principles, and policies established by the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He insisted that practice is the ultimate criterion for testing truth, broke free from the constraints of the "two whatevers", took effective measures to eliminate the erroneous influence of the "left", resolutely vindicated wrongful cases, fully implemented the cadre policy, and quickly solved the historical problem of more than 200000 people in Hubei. He firmly shifted the focus of Hubei's work to economic construction, attaching importance to the construction of agricultural, forestry, and water conservancy infrastructure, giving full play to the leading role of state-owned large and medium-sized enterprises, and emphasizing the coordinated development of economic construction and social undertakings, creating favorable conditions for the economic and social development of Hubei. After working at the central government, he conducted in-depth investigations and research, put forward many constructive suggestions for deepening reform, expanding opening up, accelerating development, and maintaining stability, and did a lot of organizational and coordination work, playing an active role in the process of our party gradually forming the basic line of socialism in the primary stage.

Comrade Chen Pixian has done a lot of pioneering work for the construction of socialist democracy and legal system. During his assistance to Comrade * in charge of national political and legal work, he promoted the political and legal organs to break away from narrow business views that do not care about the overall situation, and consciously became an active supporter of economic system reform and a strong defender of modernization construction; We have made great efforts to promote the implementation of the central government's decision to severely crack down on serious criminal offenses in accordance with the law, implement various measures for comprehensive governance, strengthen legal publicity and education, and improve social security and social atmosphere; We have promoted the establishment of a security department, created armed forces, and done a lot of work to strengthen the construction of the political and legal police force, ensure security, and maintain social stability. During his tenure as the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, he promoted the implementation of the election of National People's Congress deputies, strengthened and improved legislation, supervision and other work, and made positive contributions to adhering to and improving the system of National People's Congress; We have made unremitting efforts to promote the correction of various phenomena such as non-compliance with the law, lax law enforcement, and failure to investigate violations, and resolutely uphold the dignity of the Constitution and laws, in order to develop socialist democracy and improve the socialist legal system.

Comrades and friends! Comrade Chen Pixian devoted himself wholeheartedly and selflessly to the cause of the Party and the people during his more than 60 year revolutionary career. His glorious achievements are deeply engraved in our hearts, and his noble character is always worth learning from.

To commemorate Comrade Chen Pixian, we must be as firm in our ideals and beliefs as he was, and always maintain our political loyalty to the Party. Comrade Chen Pixian, from a "little red devil" to an octogenarian, has been infinitely loyal to the Party and the people, whether in times of prosperity or adversity, whether in office or retirement. During the three-year guerrilla war, despite losing control of the Party Central Committee and facing dozens of times the enemy, his revolutionary will remained as strong as steel, "able to endure any hardship, capable of anything, fearless of any difficulties, and unable to fail in any work. During the Cultural Revolution, facing the accusations and persecution of the Gang of Four, he always adhered to principles and fought against them without compromise, demonstrating the unwavering determination of a Communist Party member. Today, in commemoration of Comrade Chen Pixian, we must learn from his unwavering political character towards the Party, closely integrate with the learning and education of "studying the Party Constitution and rules, studying a series of speeches, and becoming a qualified Party member" carried out among all Party members, further enhance political consciousness, overall situation consciousness, core consciousness, and alignment consciousness, strengthen the "three confidences", consciously become a firm believer and faithful practitioner of the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and always maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee led by comrades in ideology, politics, and action.

To commemorate Comrade Chen Pixian, we must always remember the people and truly respect their dominant position, just like he did. Comrade Chen Pixian said, "The Communist Party is fundamentally based on the interests of the people. Only when the Party never separates itself from the people and truly enjoys high prestige among them, can it lead the masses to overcome difficulties and move forward together with greater strength." In his long-term revolutionary career, he has always been deeply involved in the struggle of the masses, fully mobilized the masses to establish, consolidate, and develop base areas, and consolidated the mass foundation for revolutionary victory. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he worked in the local area for a long time, often traveling to various places, going deep into the grassroots, visiting the poor and asking for help, and helping the masses solve the practical difficulties they faced in production and life. He also requested that cadres have enough time to leave the office, go among the masses, humbly listen to their opinions, and discuss matters with them. Today, in commemoration of Comrade Chen Pixian, we must learn from his excellent style of adhering to the mass line, bear in mind the materialist conception of history that the people are the fundamental force driving historical development, practice the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, adhere to the development ideology centered on the people, and achieve development for the people, development relying on the people, and development achievements shared by the people, realizing, maintaining, and developing the fundamental interests of the vast majority of the people.

We commemorate Comrade Chen Pixian by not caring about personal gains and losses, and dedicating all our efforts to the development of the Party and the cause, just like he did. Comrade Chen Pixian has always attached great importance to the Party and the cause, working diligently and selflessly, whether in times of war or peace. He disregarded his physical weakness and illness, insisting on contributing to the party and the cause with every ounce of warmth. Many times, he takes on the responsibilities of the main position as a deputy, but he always fulfills his duties and works tirelessly. After leaving his leadership position, he still cared about the Party and the cause, actively suggesting the establishment of Pudong Economic Development Zone. In his later years, he also published commemorative articles, wrote memoirs, and put forward many important opinions on party history work. He summarized his life in this way: "I have been thinking about revolution all my life, and I cannot say that there were no mistakes, but I have always been loyal to the revolution, the motherland, and the Party, and have made my modest contribution to the revolutionary cause of the Chinese people." Today, in commemoration of Comrade Chen Pixian, we must learn from his revolutionary spirit of dedicating ourselves to the cause until the end of our lives, consciously combine lofty ideals with fulfilling our duties and responsibilities, endure hardships first, enjoy later, and strive to create outstanding work achievements, contributing wisdom and strength to the development of the Party and the cause.

To commemorate Comrade Chen Pixian, we must dare to uphold truth and be adept at using Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and methods to analyze and solve problems, just like he did. Comrade Chen Pixian has always adhered to the basic principles of Marxism that start from reality, emphasizing seeking truth from facts and respecting science. In 1952, during the "Five Antis" movement in Shanghai, he proposed that the classification of 303 key private industrial and commercial households should not be solely based on illegal gains. As a result, only 3 households were classified as serious violators. This has played a positive role in the recovery and development of Shanghai's industry and commerce. In April 1960, while inspecting work in Longyan, Fujian, he discovered that the trend of exaggeration had caused difficulties in the lives of the masses, even leading to hunger. He couldn't sleep all night and quickly reported to the Fujian Provincial Party Committee. Thanks to timely measures taken, many lives were saved. After the reform and opening up, he repeatedly emphasized the need to break free from spiritual shackles, emphasize dialectics, firmly support the shift of the Party and work focus, and mobilize all factors for socialist construction. Today, in commemoration of Comrade Chen Pixian, we must learn from his valuable qualities of seeking truth and being pragmatic. In accordance with the requirements of the "Three Stricts and Three Earnests", we must consciously apply the developing Marxism to guide new practices, be good at combining subjective understanding with objective reality, strive to make our ideas, plans, and proposals conform to objective laws and scientific spirit, and ensure that all work arrangements and measures are implemented and achieve practical results.

To commemorate Comrade Chen Pixian, we must demand strict standards of ourselves like he did, and truly uphold integrity and honesty. Comrade Chen Pixian has always adhered to the principles of Party spirit, followed Party discipline and political life norms, and upheld the Party Central Committee. He has a democratic style, is approachable, and has both strict requirements and great care for cadres. He always maintains a style of hard work and simplicity, with integrity and clean hands, resolutely opposing corrupt behavior and unhealthy practices. He has strict requirements for his family and staff, and never seeks personal gain for them. His childlike sentiment and noble character have always been admired and remembered by cadres and the masses. Today, in commemoration of Comrade Chen Pixian, we must learn from his high moral integrity of being strict with himself and performing his duties honestly, firmly establish the correct world outlook, outlook on life and values, strengthen the cultivation and exercise of the Party spirit, implement the CPC's Code of Integrity and Self discipline, and the Regulations of the CPC on Disciplinary Punishment, be good at using power on the track of the rule of law, be good at working under supervision, unswervingly oppose the "four styles", unswervingly oppose corruption, and further establish a good image of Communists.

Comrades and friends! Comrade Chen Pixian has been away from us for more than 20 years, but his spirit will always live in our hearts. Today, we commemorate and learn from Comrade Chen Pixian, in order to unite more closely around the Party Central Committee led by comrades, fully implement the spirit of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Plenary Sessions of the 18th Central Committee, deeply implement the spirit of a series of important speeches, closely focus on the overall layout of the "Five in One" and the "Four Comprehensives" strategic layout, firmly establish and implement the development concept of innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing, forge ahead and work hard, and tirelessly strive for the comprehensive construction of a moderately prosperous society, the realization of the "Two Centenary Goals", and the realization of the Chinese Dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!

People's Daily (March 30, 2016, Issue 06)