Timeline

Jan 15 - 17, 1935: The Zunyi Meeting

After the Red Army takes over Zunyi, a city of military importance in Guizhou, Southwest China, an expanded meeting of the CPC Central Committee Politburo is held during the Long March (1934-35).

It focuses on rectifying errors in military and organizational affairs and establishes the correct leadership of the new Central Committee, as represented by Mao Zedong.

The Zunyi Meeting is regarded as a crucial turning point in the Long March, leading to the ultimate success of the Chinese revolution.

Jan 26, 1935: The Battle of Huangpodong

On the morning of Jan 26, 1935, a group of Red Army soldiers disguised as villagers is scheduled to visit Chishui county to meet with other troops. However, when they arrive at Huangpodong (12 kilometers from the county), their accents alert enemy troops during an examination and interrogation session. This branch of the Red Army suffers heavy losses and is forced to retreat. As a result, the army has to find another way of entering the county, which directly contributes to the Four Crossings of the Chishui River.

Jan 19 – March 22, 1935: The Battle of Chishui River (aka the Four Crossings of the Chishui River)

After becoming supreme military leader of the Red Army, Mao leads his troops to meet another branch of the army led by Zhang Guotao and Xu Xiangqian in Sichuan province. In light of the changing enemy situation, Mao employs a highly flexible approach, which involves the Red Army crossing the Chishui River four times to avoid the pursuing Kuomintang forces. The move provides the Red Army with a decisive victory.

February, 1935: The Battle of Loushanguan (Loushan Pass)

After the Red Army occupies Zunyi during the Long March, several warlords in Guizhou station troops at Loushan Pass to stop the Red Army. The Red Army is victorious after a fierce battle and occupies the pass. It is the Communist army’s first triumph since the start of the Long March.

March 5, 1935: The Yaxi Conference

A meeting is held to analyze the Battle of Loushanguan. Later, a wartime headquarters is established, with Zhu De as frontier commander and Mao as frontier political commissar. It is the first military meeting after Mao regains the leadership of the party, having previously been demoted.

March 10 - 12, 1935: The Gouba Conference

A conference is held in Gouba, a village in Zunyi. The meeting further consolidates Mao’s leadership of the CPC and the Red Army. A leadership group is formed — consisting of Mao, Zhou Enlai and Wang Jiaxiang — and completes the transfer of power decided at the Zunyi Meeting.