Editor's note:

A far-sighted nation always turns its attention to the youth; a far-sighted political party always roots the foundation of its organization in the youth. A history of the Chinese youth movement is a history of the unremitting struggle of the vast number of young people under the leadership of the party.

When they were young and in their prime, they vigorously spread Marxism, founded the Youth League organization, and were willing to serve as "tinders", speaking out and dedicating themselves to calling on young people to save the country and the people under the leadership of the Party. , worked hard for the establishment and development of the *** Youth League organization. Whether they are awakening the masses of workers and peasants or opening up a new path for revolution, whether they are overthrowing the great powers and warlords or resisting foreign enemies and anti-Japanese invaders, they have become the vanguard force to save the nation from peril, strive for national independence and people's liberation.

Using their youthful years to sharpen the turbulent years, they issued a strong voice of the times of "Unite and revitalize China", set up shining banners such as the Youth Commando, and set off a campaign of "striving to be active members of socialist construction" The craze has created one historical record after another in marching into science and technology. On top of the strong sails, they moved forward bravely, and they became new Long March assaulters, youth job experts, youth May 4th medal winners, outstanding Communist Youth League members, outstanding league cadres, outstanding young volunteers, upward and good young people... …With the exemplary spirit of determination and dedication, he has led generations of young people to make achievements and contribute their youthful energy to the realization of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

How can I use my youth to compose a magnificent song of triumph for a youthful China and a youthful nation? Brush away the dust of the years and let us jointly pursue the growth footprints of the young heroes. The 8th issue of "China Youth" launched a special issue "A Century of Fiery Youth: Always Follow the Party and Forge a New Journey" to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China. From now on, the new media of China Youth Magazine launches a series of reports called "Century of Youth Youth Movement Figures" to pay tribute to the glorious history of the party's leadership of the youth movement for a century, and to lead the majority of young people to devote themselves to the party and make contributions to the new era.

"A Century of Youth Youth Movement Figures" Series Report ③

Mao Zedong: Accompanying Youth for Life

100 years ago, China was in a state of turmoil, internal and external troubles , a group of advanced young intellectuals who had withstood the baptism of the May 4th Movement, and under the illumination of Marxist thought, completed a great ideological awakening.

This group of Chinese young people regard Marxism as a firm belief and dedicate themselves to the great cause of communism as a lifelong goal. They have led the Chinese youth movement that combines Marxism with the Chinese workers' movement. the right direction.

Mao Zedong was one of them.

In 1918, Mao Zedong, Cai Hesen and others, students of Hunan Provincial First Normal School, founded the Xinmin Society in Zhoujiataizi, Changsha. In October 1920, after Mao Zedong received the charter of the Socialist Youth League from Shanghai and Beijing, he began to prepare for the establishment of the league. On January 13, 1921, the Changsha Socialist Youth League held its founding meeting, and Mao Zedong was elected secretary of the league.

In the process of establishing the League, Mao Zedong attached great importance to the political quality of the League members. According to Zhang Wenliang, a student of Changsha No. 1 Normal University, recorded in his diary in 1920: "On November 21st, I met with Mao Zedong (in the popular hall). Yun Bu will go to Liling to inspect education, and told the Youth League at this time to Pay attention to looking for true comrades; it is better to take things slowly and not to rush forward."

At this time, the early organizations of the Chinese Youth League were like seedlings that broke out of the ground after the spring rain, stretching out their youthful appearance, but also swaying in the wind and rain. . After the birth of the Communist Party of China in July 1921, it specifically studied the issue of establishing and developing youth leagues in various places, and provided strong leadership, help and care for the advancement and development of the Chinese Youth League organization.

Mao Zedong often taught league members to go among the workers and peasants. He set an example by going to Changsha's textile and paper mills to understand the situation and making friends with railway workers and porters.

He published articles in "China Youth" many times. In 1924, the 116th issue of "China Youth" republished Mao Zedong's "Analysis of All Classes in Chinese Society". This was the first time Mao Zedong published it in "China Youth". Article; On May 4, 1939, Chairman Mao delivered "Speech at the 20th Anniversary Conference of the May 4th Movement in Yan'an" and published in "China Youth".

After the founding of New China, Mao Zedong personally approved the Communist Youth League flag of China. The flag is red, symbolizing the victory of the revolution; a yellow five-pointed star in the upper left corner, surrounded by a yellow circle, symbolizes China's young generation is closely united around the Communist Party of China.

In August 1952, Mao Zedong presided over two central meetings to discuss the work of the Youth League, and conducted research on how the Party Committee should lead the Youth League and how the Youth League should work.

In June 1953, when Mao Zedong met with the presidium of the Second National Congress of the New Democratic Youth League of China, he delivered the famous speech "The work of the Youth League must take into account the characteristics of the youth." He was full of witty words and quoted allusions from the Three Kingdoms: "Cao Cao led the army down to the south of the Yangtze River to attack Soochow. At that time, Zhou Yu was a 'youth member' and served as the commander-in-chief of Soochow. Cheng Pu and other veteran generals refused to accept it, but later convinced him that he should be the commander-in-chief. , and the battle was won." He proposed that the selection of young cadres within the league should not be based on seniority, but on ability and both ability and political integrity.

Mao Zedong pointed out: "The Youth League must cooperate with the Party's central work, but while cooperating with the Party's central work, it must have its own independent work and take into account the characteristics of the youth. ... The leading organs of the Party and the League , must learn to lead the work of the group, be good at organizing and educating the broad masses of young people around the party's central tasks, taking into account the characteristics of young people." In this speech, he put forward the requirements for young people to have good health, study well, and work well. , provided important theoretical basis and methodological guidance for the Youth League work and youth work after the founding of New China, and played an important guiding role in guiding the majority of youths to join the socialist modernization drive by the *** Youth League and other mass league organizations.

Mao Zedong’s emphasis on youth work is also reflected in his concern for the public opinion orientation of youth newspapers and periodicals. He enthusiastically wrote titles for many times for the Youth League’s central organ, China Youth. In February 1963, Mao Zedong was invited by the editorial board of "China Youth" to write the inscription for the album "Learn from Comrade Lei Feng": Learn from Comrade Lei Feng, thus setting off a long-lasting movement to learn from Lei Feng.

He once said affectionately: "The world is yours and ours, but in the final analysis it is yours. You young people are full of vitality and are in your prime, just like the sun at eight or nine o'clock in the morning. My hope is pinned on you."

As a participant in the early youth movement and an organizer of youth movements at different levels, Mao Zedong gave many important instructions to the youth movement and youth leagues. His life was a life of paying attention to and guiding the growth and development of young people, and a life of always accompanying them.

Pre-sale

Issue 8 of "China Youth" in 2022

Special issue to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China

"Century Youth Youth Movement Figures" series of reports

Chen Duxiu: What should the new youth be like?