The Wuchang Uprising that broke out 50 years ago was a milestone of the mighty struggles the Chinese people waged against foreign and domestic oppressors in the years following the Opium War of 1840-42. It fired a train of revolts throughout the land. Led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary wave of 1911 toppled the Qing Dynasty (1641-1911), which had oppressed the Chinese people for nearly 300 years, and ended 2,000 years of absolute monarchy in China.

The 1911 Revolution was a great victory for the Chinese people. In overthrowing the Qing Dynasty, they dealt a telling blow to the imperialists who supported it. Though the fruits of victory were seized by Yuan Shih-kai and the other warlords who worked hand in glove with the various imperialists, the revolution brought about an unprecedented spiritual emancipation of the people. It paved the way for the further development of the revolution.

The whole nation marked its 50th anniversary with many and varied commemorative activities. The highlight of these was the meeting held in Peking's Great Hall of the People on the eve of the anniversary. More than 10,000 people attended: working people of the capital, representatives of the democratic parties, people's organizations, national minorities and returned overseas Chinese. The rostrum of the brightly lit hall was decorated with red banners and flowers and portraits of Chairman Mao Tse-tung and Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Chairman Liu Shao-chi was present. On the rostrum with him were Chou En-lai, Soong Ching Ling, Tung Pi-wu, Chu Teh, Ho Hsiang-ning and others.

Chou En-lai, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, delivered the opening speech. He paid tribute to the trail-blazers of the Revolution of 1911. He paid special tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, great revolutionary and outstanding democrat, who played so important a role in the 1911 Revolution. Analysing the events of 1911, Premier Chou pointed out that this revolution led by the Chinese bourgeoisie failed to fulfil the revolutionary tasks of opposing imperialism and feudalism, but its failure was a lesson to the Chinese people. "The history of China's democratic revolution," said the Premier, "shows that in the era of imperialism, it is impossible for a bourgeois-democratic revolution to achieve complete victory without the leadership of the proletariat and that the plan for a bourgeois republic is not feasible in China." The Premier drew attention to the contribution to China's revolutionary cause made by Dr. Sun Yat-sen who never ceased to learn from experience and to develop and advance his ideas in the course of revolutionary practice. Many changes took place in the world in the years after the 1911 Revolution: the victory of the October Socialist Revolution in Russia, the May Fourth Movement in China and the birth of the Chinese Communist Party. Dr. Sun's views advanced with the times; in spite of obstruction from the reactionary forces, he resolutely accepted the help offered him by the Chinese Communists, and adopted the three cardinal policies of alliance with Soviet Russia, co-operation with the Communists, and assistance to the peasants' and workers' movement, thus developing his old Three People's Principles into the new Three People's Principles. "This," said Chou En-lai, "was a remarkable, immortal contribution."

After Dr. Sun Yat-sen's death, Chiang Kai-shek betrayed him and sold out the revolution, and the tide of the revolution momentarily ebbed. But the Chinese people, led by the Communist Party and Chairman Mao Tse-tung, waged a protracted and arduous struggle and finally overthrew the reactionary rule of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat-capitalism, and founded the great People's Republic of China. "We are happy," said Chou En-lai, "not only because we have fulfilled the tasks left unfinished by the heroes of the Revolution of 1911 and realized the lofty ideals cherished and pursued by so many Chinese patriots and revolutionaries over the last hundred years and more, but also because we have led our country - a great country with 650 million people - on to the high road of socialist development." Chou En-lai called on the people to unite still more closely and strive for even greater victories in socialist construction and for the liberation of Taiwan and the complete unification of our motherland.

Vice-Chairman Tung Pi-wu, who headed the preparatory committee for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution, gave the main address of the meeting. He dwelt at length on the background of the 1911 Revolution, its nature and significance and gave a penetrating analysis of the reasons why it failed to achieve its full aims.

Ho Hsiang-ning spoke next, on behalf of the democratic parties, nonpartisan democrats and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. She paid tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the revolutionary martyrs and, citing the lesson to be learnt from the 1911 Revolution, pointed out that in the era of imperialism only the proletariat, and no other class, can lead any real revolution to victory. She declared that the Chinese Communist Party has led the Chinese people not only in thoroughly accomplishing the tasks of the bourgeois-democratic revolution but also in developing it immediately into the socialist revolution in which great successes have already been scored. All for whom she spoke, she said, are determined to follow Chairman Mao Tse-tung and the Communist Party for ever.

Commemorative meetings were also held in all the provinces and autonomous regions, relics of the revolution were exhibited in the major cities, and for many days past the press has been carrying reminiscences and poems by veterans of the revolution. These reminiscences are being compiled and edited, and the first volume will soon be off the press. It contains 30 reminiscences totalling more than 400,000 words. They include those by Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Chu Teh, Ho Hsiang-ning and others - all eyewitnesses or participants of the revolution. Its foreword is by Vice-Chairman Soong Ching Ling.

More than 40 old comrades-in-arms of the 1911 Revolution came from all parts of the country to take part in the various commemorative activities in the capital. The youngest of them was 69. They spent the greater part of their lives in the old society and have witnessed many vicissitudes in their country's destiny. All are greatly moved by the tremendous achievements the nation has scored since liberation. In the many get-togethers they have taken part in, they have spoken of the joy with which they have seen the fondest hopes and dreams of their youth come true.

On the eve of the anniversary, Premier Chou En-lai received these veterans and had a cordial talk with them. Vice-Chairman Tung Pi-wu, himself a veteran of the 1911 Revolution, gave a banquet in their honour. It was an unforgettable get-together of old comrades-in-arms. They chatted of old times, of the hopes that have been realized, and drank many toasts to the prosperity of their motherland.