The official website of the National Archives Administration of China released a graphic article entitled “Chenzhou City in Hunan Province: New Evidence of Red Army Passing Through Chenzhou” on March 31. A Red Army document kept in the home of a villager from Cailing Village of Liangtian Town, Suxian District, Chenzhou City was regarded as a solid evidence.

Recently, a Red Army document in 1934 submitted by the Archives of Chenzhou City was examined by experts organized by the Hunan Provincial Museum's Cultural Collection and Appraisal Center.

Through rigorous research and verification based on factors such as paper texture, handwriting characteristics, seal patterns, and historical facts of the Long March, it was ultimately confirmed to be a product of the 1930s.

An appraisal report was issued, laying a foundation for the protection, research, and utilization of this red archive.

This Red Army document, with detailed and accurate content, truly records the historical facts of the Red Army collecting grain from the people and accepting donations from them, serving as direct evidence of the Red Army's strict adherence to discipline and its excellent style of caring for the people.

Due to its long age, the document suffered from problems such as paper brittleness and severe damage, with a worrying state of preservation.

The Chenzhou Municipal Archives promptly took emergency protection measures to scientifically prevent further damage, and simultaneously initiated the protection and appraisal procedures.

Currently, the document has completed professional restoration and high-standard standardized preservation. And with the support of the Provincial Archives, it has successfully completed high-precision simulation reproduction, achieving the dual goals of “protecting the original and promoting utilization”.

To ensure the professionalism and accuracy of the appraisal work, the Chenzhou Municipal Archives quickly collaborated with relevant units such as the municipal archives bureau and the Party History Research Office of the municipal party committee to conduct on-site investigations and systematically consult many materials.

It has been verified that from early to mid-November 1934, the Central Red Army did indeed pass through Liangtian and Cailing areas in Chenxian (today’s Suixian District) in order to break through the third line of the Kuomintang's blockade.

One division of the Third Red Army Corps conducted activities in Liangtan, Cailing and Baohe from November 11 to 17, which highly coincided with the time, location and unit designation recorded in the document.

The historical records also clearly state that the wounded and sick soldiers left by the Red Army were actively rescued by local people, which mutually corroborates with the document and related records, forming a complete chain of historical facts.

Chinese source: hunantoday