Old soldiers still fighting to better society
Knowledgeable volunteers guide locals, tourists around historic Party sites in Shanghai; offer free social services
As the People’s Republic of China nears its 69th anniversary, a law enforcement division in Shanghai is helping people better appreciate the magnitude of events leading up to and following the historical event in 1949 — as well as diversifying its role in society.
The People’s Armed Police Force unit in Shanghai aims to shoulder a greater role in working for the people in the context of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, while also meeting expectations for a stronger and more diverse military, according to officials.
In addition to new volunteer activities to help improve society, the force has also shouldered the responsibility of maintaining social stability and guarding the nation’s assets and pledged to focus on fighting terrorism and maintaining public order.
Wang Yu, a member of the force’s Shanghai squad, is the 71st docent — or tour guide — at the site of the Communist Party of China’s First National Congress, which took place on July 23, 1921.
“As a member of the armed police, it’s my privilege to introduce the history of the CPC and the development of the country to Chinese and foreign visitors,” said Wang, who started as a guide last month.
Fellow soldier Zhu Tianwei, a guide at the memorial hall at the site of the CPC’s Second National Congress — held in Shanghai from July 16 to 23, 1922 — said he was given an old copy of the Party’s Constitution by his grandfather when he left home to join the Army years ago.
“Now it’s thrilling that I’m telling the story of the Constitution to people visiting the memorial,” he said. “I love the country I serve even more deeply after knowing more about its history.”
Wang and Zhu, along with 13 other volunteer guides from the squad, serve on a rotating basis at the two historical sites. They typically serve in the role for 15 months, two days a week.
“New era thought has added new understanding to soldiers’ service to the country and its people, which embraces defending national interests and safety as well as meeting people’s changing demands in life,” said Wang Changsheng, the squad’s instructor.
“Being close to the sites of the CPC’s first and second national congresses, our squad has regarded the two memorials as great resources to resolutely implement the Party’s thinking on strengthening the military for the new era and enhancing the political loyalty of the armed forces.”
The First National Congress was held in Shanghai’s Xintiandi area and marked the birth of the Party, now the world’s largest political party with more than 89 million members. In 1952, the venue was made into a memorial hall and opened to the public.
In October 1998, a sixmonth renovation of the site of the CPC’s first national congress began, with plans to extend the memorial from 485 to 780 square meters. The squad, at the request of the memorial’s library, appointed 30 soldiers to support the construction of the site and accelerate renovation. However, after the site was significantly enlarged, more guides were needed.
“We wanted to do more for the site,” said Guo Fengjue, who was with the Shanghai squad at the time and encouraged all soldiers helping with the renovation to apply to be volunteer guides in May 1999.
Ni Xingxiang, then curator, worried that applicants without formal education would not be qualified to be guides.
After being tested on Party history and communication skills, Guo became the first docent in 1999. Nearly two decades later, Guo is one of several former soldiers who volunteer as guides at the two memorials.
“Soldiers need to continuously learn and update the history of the Party and take tests regularly to polish their communication skills,” said Yang Yu, vice-curator of the First National Congress memorial hall.
“They never know how detailed the questions asked by the visitors might be. Also, since November, the number of visitors has nearly tripled after General Secretary Xi Jinping and six other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee visited the memorial.”
Yang said the site receives over 7,000 visits a day, soaring from 3,000 before Xi’s visit. The number at the site of the Second National Congress grew from 2,000 to 5,000.
An increasing number of soldiers are choosing to volunteer as site guides, with all needing a good command of history, languages and communication skills. Wu Ming gave up an opportunity to study film and drama at the University of Iowa in the United States to join the Army. He can recount Party history in English, while another volunteer guide, Lu Yuan, can speak Japanese.
To make serving as a soldier in China a respected profession is part of what Xi put forward during the 19th CPC National Congress in October. Soldiers with the People’s Armed Police Force in Shanghai aim to achieve this goal by making greater contributions to the people, in addition to enhancing real combat readiness.
On the 20th of every month, squad members have been volunteering since 1982 to provide free haircuts, shoe and umbrella repairs, blood pressure screenings and scissor sharpening, as well as patching up old clothes.
“The service now covers medical and legal advice, psychological counseling and 20 other services, for both Chinese and foreigners,” said Wang Hao, the squad leader.
Over 130 companies have participated in the services, along with thousands of volunteers.
The squad also helps elderly residents living alone, autistic children and people with disabilities on weekends, and has donated more than 3 million yuan ($452,400) to public foundations and charities since 1982.