Red tourism sites add to region's glow

The Lijiang Scenic Area in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Provided to China Daily]

Learning from revolutionary forerunners, Guangxi looks to boost exchanges with ASEAN, RCEP members

Ten Red tourism routes were recently launched in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region as part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

The routes, developed by the region's Department of Culture and Tourism, allow tourists to explore the best of what the region has to offer in the history of Chinese people's fight against the old social structure and foreign aggressions－especially those led by the CPC－before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

They cover a wide range of areas across Guangxi and take travelers through history spanning from the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in the 1850s and 1860s, to the New Democratic Revolution that began with the May Fourth Movement on May 4, 1919, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), and the country's reform and opening-up as well as the achievements of modern development.

"Guangxi is an important birthplace and inheritor of our Party's revolutionary spirit," said Lu Xinshe, Party secretary of the autonomous region.

A large number of revolutionary forerunners, including Deng Xiaoping, Wei Baqun and Li Mingrui, fought hard for national liberation and people's happiness in historical events such as the Baise, Longzhou and Xiangjiang uprisings, Lu said.

By 2020, Guangxi had more than 20 national Red tourism sites that are rated 3A or above, and eight have been named national models for patriotic education, according to the local government.

The authority has integrated Red tourism sites with neighboring resorts and developed arrangements for travelers with a schedule of one to three days to follow the footprints of those revolutionaries.

"Their revolutionary and fighting spirit has inspired the Zhuang people－one of the region's ethnic groups－to unite and work hard, and promoted the historical achievement of enriching people's lives and Guangxi's prosperity," Lu said.

In the following tests of reform and development, poverty alleviation and epidemic prevention and control, a group of model workers has emerged and dedicated themselves to the final success, he adds.

The late Baini village official, Huang Wenxiu, who died in a flash flood at the age of 30 on June 17, 2019, had committed her life to poverty alleviation.

Since March 2018, Huang had led poverty alleviation efforts in the village. A total of 418 villagers were lifted out of poverty thanks to her efforts.

She was named "role model of the times" by the central government. President Xi Jinping expressed grief over Huang's death and extended condolences to her family.

Xi urged Party members, officials and young people to learn from Huang, remain true to the original aspiration of the CPC, keep the mission firmly in mind, be brave enough to shoulder responsibilities and be willing to show dedication, so as to make new and greater contributions in the Long March of the new era.

Locals like Huang have continued to make breakthroughs in Guangxi.