The Xibaipo revolutionary site will become one of the first-class patriotism education bases in the next three to five years. The reconstruction of the site began August 18.

The initial reconstruction program includes 18 revolutionary sites, which cover a total area of 123 acres. Though five of the 18 revolutionary sites have already finished the main construction work, workers still need to enrich their historical site and artifact exhibits before opening to the public.. Four of the original sites were preserved, so reconstruction of those will only require additional decoration. The most challenging task, though, could be the reconstruction of nine sites engulfed after the construction of Gangnan Dam.. They will be built around the Xibaipo Memorial based on the architectural style of the site of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party at Xibaipo.

There are a total of 34 sites at Xibaipo in need of reconstruction, all of which carry great significance. Not only can their preservation enrich traditional patriotism education, but it can also be a catalyst for the improvement of the Xibaipo tourism industry.

Background: Xibaipo (Official website of Xibaipo)

Xibaipo, a name echoing the glory of China's revolutionary history, is an ordinary 100-household village located in Pingshan county, Hebei province. In May 1947, the Party's Working Committee chose this location and in May 1948, under the leadership of Comrade Mao Tse-tung, the Party's Central Committee and the headquarters of the Chinese People's Liberation Army moved to this village. This made it the last rural command center prior to the decisive battles between the Communist Party and the Kuomintang. Xibaipo's unique contribution to the revolution has thus bestowed upon it a name that shines in the history books of the Chinese revolution, setting up a historical monument with eternal glory.

By Audrey and Liu Xi (Chinadaily.com.cn)