The Founding Site of the CPC Yunnan Underground Party in Kunming

Overview

The Founding Site of the CPC Yunnan Underground Party (中共云南地下党建党旧址) is a provincial-level cultural heritage site located in Kunming (昆明). It is open to the public year-round from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 16:00. The site is recognized as a significant historical location, reflecting the early development of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Yunnan Province.

Historical Development

In 1926, the site provided a quiet and accessible environment for underground workers to carry out their activities. On November 7, 1926, a meeting was convened here, chaired by Li Xin (李鑫), during which the Yunnan Special Branch of the CPC was officially established, following a decision from the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPC. Wu Cheng (吴澄) was appointed as the secretary.

In February 1927, Wang Desan (王德三), then serving as the head of the Propaganda Department at the Whampoa Military Academy in Guangzhou, was instructed by the Guangdong Provincial Committee to lead a group of party members back to Kunming. They established the Temporary Working Committee of the CPC Yunnan Province, building upon the foundation of the Yunnan Special Branch. Wang Desan served as the secretary, with Li Xin, Wu Cheng, and others as committee members.

Main Attractions

The Founding Site of the CPC Yunnan Underground Party features a typical four-sided courtyard structure known as “three courtyards and a screen wall” (三坊一照壁), facing east and built in traditional Chinese timber style. The building has been preserved in its original condition and remains a well-maintained provincial-level cultural relic.

Significant Quotes and Inscriptions

• “在当时，环境幽静、四通八达，便于地下工作者转移。”
  (“At that time, the environment was quiet and accessible, making it convenient for underground workers to move.”)
• “会议上根据中共广东区委的决定正式在云南建立中共云南特别支部，吴澄任书记。”
  (“At the meeting, it was decided to formally establish the Yunnan Special Branch of the CPC based on the decision of the Guangdong Provincial Committee, with Wu Cheng serving as secretary.”)
• “在云南特别支部的基础上建立中共云南省临时工作委员会，王德三任书记，李鑫、吴澄等任委员。”
  (“On the foundation of the Yunnan Special Branch, the Temporary Working Committee of the CPC Yunnan Province was established, with Wang Desan as secretary and Li Xin, Wu Cheng, and others as committee members.”)

The site serves as an important reminder of the historical struggles and achievements of the CPC in Yunnan Province, offering visitors a glimpse into the early days of the party’s organization and operations.