Suwan Border Area Government Former Site Memorial Hall in Huai’an

The Suwan Border Area Government Former Site Memorial Hall (苏皖边区政府旧址纪念馆) is located at 30 Huainan Road, Qingjiangpu District, Huai’an City, Jiangsu Province. It was officially opened on January 1, 1986, after receiving approval from the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in October 1985. Over the years, the memorial hall has received numerous accolades, including recognition as a Provincial-Level Patriotic Education Base, Excellent Moral Education Base, and National Key Cultural Heritage Site. It has also earned the status of a National AAA Tourist Attraction and a Level 3 Museum.

This museum serves as a tribute to the Suwan Border Area Government (苏皖边区政府), the only democratic coalition government established by the Chinese Communist Party’s New Fourth Army (新四军) in the liberated areas of central and northern Jiangsu, southern Anhui, and northern Huainan. The government was founded in Huaiyin (now Huai’an) on November 1, 1945, and covered a vast region that included parts of Jiangsu, Anhui, and Henan provinces. It had a population of 25 million and an area of 105,000 square kilometers.

Collections and Visitor Information

Total Collection: 887 items/sets, including 154 valuable cultural relics.

Annual Visitors (2022): 60,651

Exhibition Area: 5000㎡

Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday

Spring, Autumn, Winter: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Summer: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Closed on Mondays

Historical Background

The Suwan Border Area Government was formed in 1945 in Huaiyin (now Huai’an), marking the establishment of a new democratic government that spanned a vast area of central China. The government was created by the New Fourth Army, led by the Chinese Communist Party, and was formed in the wake of the victory in the Second Sino-Japanese War. This democratic government played a critical role in the revolution, advocating for land reforms, economic recovery, and the establishment of public education and healthcare systems.

The memorial hall offers visitors a deep dive into this transformative period in China’s history, providing insight into the political, social, and economic changes brought about by the Suwan Border Area Government.

Strategic Importance and Geographic Reach

The government ruled over a significant region covering Jiangsu, Anhui, and Henan provinces.

The area had a population of 25 million and an area of 105,000 square kilometers.

The government’s reach included the Yangtze River to the south, the Longhai Railway to the north, and the Yellow Sea to the east.

The establishment of the Suwan Border Area Government was a crucial step in China’s path to national liberation and the subsequent founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Six Main Exhibition Rooms

Room 1: Formation of the Suwan Border Area Government

This room introduces the historical context that led to the formation of the Suwan Border Area Government in 1945. Visitors can learn about the circumstances leading up to its establishment and how the New Fourth Army facilitated the creation of a government that unified vast areas in central China during the waning years of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Room 2: Democratic Construction and Social Reform

This exhibition focuses on the early political and social reforms implemented by the Suwan Border Area Government. The room covers:

The Political Program which outlined the government’s commitment to rebuilding the war-torn region.

The implementation of democratic governance, which included the introduction of three-three systems (a division of power between workers, peasants, and intellectuals) and the abolition of feudal systems like the Baojia system in rural areas.

Land reforms that redistributed land to 15 million peasants, which was a crucial move in motivating the local population to participate in the reconstruction of the region.

Room 3: Economic Recovery and Development

This room showcases the government’s efforts to rebuild the economy through:

Rebuilding the agricultural economy through irrigation, infrastructure, and agricultural production.

Rapid development of trade, commerce, and industry.

Reconstruction of transportation networks, including railways and postal systems, which were essential for connecting the region to the rest of China and supporting economic growth.

Room 4: Cultural and Educational Advancements

This exhibition highlights the emphasis placed on culture and education by the Suwan Border Area Government:

Cultural advancements, including the founding of the Huaihai Cultural Association and the promotion of education through the establishment of schools and universities.

The creation of adult education programs to reduce illiteracy and increase political awareness among the population.

The opening of healthcare institutions, the establishment of the People’s Hospital, and the creation of medical schools.

The exhibition displays a variety of historical photos, documents, and artifacts related to education and cultural efforts in the region.

Room 5: War Preparedness and Self-Defense

Following the Double Ten Agreement and the political instability in the region, this room explains the military preparations made by the New Fourth Army to defend the region against the advancing Kuomintang forces. The exhibition highlights key military actions, such as:

The Battle of Suzhou and other regional defense efforts.

The organization of militia groups and the establishment of emergency defense systems.

The room also explores the internal conflicts and the eventual withdrawal of communist forces from certain regions due to the escalating tensions.

Room 6: Liberation of Central China

This section covers the final phase of the Chinese Civil War, including the battles that led to the liberation of the region:

The Huaihai Campaign (淮海战役) in 1948, a pivotal moment in the civil war when New Fourth Army forces achieved victory over the Kuomintang forces.

The broader strategic role of Suwan Border Area in the overall liberation of central China.

This exhibition showcases key moments in China’s struggle for independence and the eventual establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

Special Exhibitions and Activities

“初心如磐，人民至上” – Revolutionary History of the Suwan Border Area

In June 2021, the memorial hall launched a special exhibition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. The exhibition, titled “初心如磐，人民至上” (The Original Intention Remains Firm, People Above All), focused on the revolutionary spirit of the Suwan Border Area. It was recognized as a key provincial exhibition for promoting traditional Chinese culture and socialist values.

Jiangsu Provincial 2022 Key Exhibition

In July 2022, the exhibition “初心如磐，人民至上” was awarded the Jiangsu Provincial 2022 Key Exhibition for its role in promoting Chinese traditional culture and nurturing socialist core values.