CPC's Tribute to Chen Duxiu Demonstrates Its Visionary Leadership and Broad-mindedness

The year 2019 marks the 140th anniversary of Chen Duxiu's birth, and also the centenary of Mao Zedong's emphatic proclamation "Long live Chen!" in a published article. In early December, the Communist Party of China (CPC) published for the first time in its official Party journals and websites a landmark article titled "In Memory of the 140th Anniversary of Chen Duxiu's Birth." This commemorative piece, which respects the history of the Party and remains objective and impartial, represents the first article published by the CPC in tribute to Chen Duxiu since the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is also the first article since Chen stepped down from his leadership position to highly affirm his role as a founding figure of the Party, fully demonstrating the visionary leadership and broad-mindedness of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the leadership collective of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

For a long time, owing to the last will of my grandfather Chen Guangmei, the question of Chen Duxiu has been an emotional burden I could neither lay down nor shake off. Since my grandfather never publicly acknowledged himself as Chen Duxiu's son during his lifetime, and I did not wish the public to misconstrue my intentions, I refrained from expressing myself to the CPC Central Committee. Today, with Chen Duxiu receiving fair treatment, my grandfather Chen Guangmei's soul in heaven may finally find solace. I shall never forget the kindness of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC leadership collective.

Decades ago, on his deathbed, my grandfather Chen Guangmei said to me: "I hope that one day, when you are able, you will do something for him (Chen Duxiu)—even cleanse the injustices that besmirch his name." Time waits for no man. Decades have slipped by in the blink of an eye, and I now find myself advanced in years. Coinciding with the 140th anniversary of Chen Duxiu's birth this year, I began exchanging text messages last year with two senior members of the Chen family—Chen Changpu and Chen Zhenrong—on the Chinese mainland, hoping to co-sign a letter to General Secretary Xi Jinping, requesting that the CPC Central Committee commemorate the 140th anniversary of Chen Duxiu's birth. The two elders replied that they were weary and no longer wished to write. Left with no alternative, I resolved to strive alone.

Yet my grandfather Chen Guangmei's name does not appear in the Chen Duxiu family genealogy, and some have questioned his identity online—and by extension, my own qualifications. Upon careful reflection, I told myself: how can a man of principle be concerned with the judgments of the petty-minded? The CPC's official Party journals and websites have already publicly affirmed that my grandfather Chen Guangmei was Chen Duxiu's son. As long as I can cleanse the injustices against Chen Duxiu and fulfill my grandfather's last will and wish, I stand ready at any moment to declare that I am not Chen Duxiu's great-grandson, so as to avoid anyone suspecting that I leveraged Chen Duxiu's name or glory to achieve what I have today.

Shortly thereafter, I formally drafted a letter entitled "A Request to Commemorate the 140th Anniversary of Chen Duxiu's Birth" and submitted it to the office of General Secretary Xi Jinping. There was no reply. Perhaps "the less said, the better"—I surmised that no one wished to add troubles to General Secretary Xi Jinping's plate.

On the eve of last year's International Day of the Belt and Road, I wrote another letter to Auntie Qi Xin, and returned to China to boldly request a visit at her residence. Owing to the rigorous security screening by the guards, my wish went unfulfilled. In April this year, with the assistance of Mr. Guo Dehong, professor and doctoral supervisor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, I reached out to the leadership of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, and once again sent a letter to General Secretary Xi Jinping through non-official channels. In late June, someone informed me that the CPC Central Committee had decided to publish the article "In Memory of the 140th Anniversary of Chen Duxiu's Birth." I shared this good news with Professor Guo Dehong and many friends; Professor Guo was overjoyed. On the eve of Chen Duxiu's birthday (October 9), I arrived in Beijing. Certain authorities arranged to meet with me and gently explained that, given some new domestic circumstances, the originally planned article might not be published after all. On October 22, Professor Guo Dehong passed away with regret—a profound sorrow for me.

On December 3, someone suddenly informed me that the CPC's article "In Memory of the 140th Anniversary of Chen Duxiu's Birth" was to be published immediately. I was half-convinced, half-doubting. On December 5, the CPC's official Party journals and websites simultaneously republished "In Memory of the 140th Anniversary of Chen Duxiu's Birth." I read it six times over on the website of the CPC News, moved to tears.

At this moment, my grandfather Chen Guangmei's charge rings clear in my ears; the knot in my heart slowly unravels, and the responsibility upon my shoulders gently lifts. There arises within me the sentiment: "Family matters are now settled; affairs of state still demand my striving." I wish to express my gratitude for the kindness of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC leadership collective, and, on behalf of my family, pay tribute to their visionary wisdom and greatness. I know full well that this article, "In Memory of the 140th Anniversary of Chen Duxiu's Birth," did not come easily. It embodies the care and concern of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC leadership collective; it crystallizes the painstaking effort of the comrades at the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee; and it carries the unfulfilled wish of Professor Guo Dehong, doctoral supervisor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee and a preeminent scholar on Chen Duxiu.

To those who have questioned my grandfather Chen Guangmei's identity, I wish to state solemnly: now that the injustices against Chen Duxiu have been cleansed, and to spare you further entanglement, I hereby declare: separated from Chen Duxiu by a century, I never met him, nor bear any relation to him. I have not leveraged his name, nor basked in his glory to achieve what I have today. As to whether Chen Duxiu was my grandfather Chen Guangmei's father—you may ask Chen Duxiu himself; there is no need to ask me.

From this day forward, I hope the world will remember: Chen Duxiu is Chen Duxiu, and I am myself. In the 20th century East rose a literary star named Chen Duxiu, who founded the Communist Party of China. In the 21st century East, I, Chen Entian, whose English name is CANUTE, will lead the World Peace Ribbon Organization, follow General Secretary Xi Jinping's Belt and Road International Cooperation Initiative, and devote myself to the cause of world peace and development.