South Niwan and Lujiazui represent two contrasting tales of transformation in China—one from "L泥灣" to "the good Jiangnan of Shaanxi," highlighting the struggles of revolutionary history; the other from "L泥渡" to an international financial center, embodying the achievements of the reform and opening period. These two areas, linked across time and space, illustrate the practice of the Party's innovative theories, the historical role of the people's strength, the guiding principles of the reality-based thought line, and the energizing effects of key reforms for the modernization of China.
As we advance China’s modernization on a solid foundation, revisiting these histories holds significance for understanding our historical agency, strengthening our confidence in development, and drawing motivation for progress.
**South Niwan: A Monument to Self-Reliance** The "L泥灣" dilemma faced extreme challenges. Located 45 kilometers southeast of Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, South Niwan was characterized by wild grass and thickets during the mid-Qing Dynasty, thus earning its name. During the War of Resistance, the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region found itself in dire straits, with a lack of clothing, food, and basic supplies.
The 359th Brigade of the Eighth Route Army came to South Niwan to break ground. They faced harsh conditions, created their own tools, and turned the land into arable fields, closely aligning Marxist principles of labor creating value with the local realities. Within just a few years, they turned South Niwan into an area where crops flourished and livestock thrived. By the end of 1944, the planted area exceeded 260,000 acres, yielding 37,000 stones of grains, which not only secured the supply needs of the border region but also cultivated the Party's fine traditions, giving birth to the invaluable "South Niwan Spirit."
Today, South Niwan has evolved from a revolutionary site to a comprehensive demonstration area that integrates red education, eco-agriculture, and cultural tourism. This transformation embodies a vivid practice of the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," demonstrating that the spirit of self-reliance remains vital and has deeply intertwined with national strategies such as green development and rural revitalization.
**Lujiazui: The Eastern Legend of Reform and Opening Up** The "L泥渡" was once inactive. Over a century ago, a ferry called "Laiyi" formed along this stretch of the river from Dongchang Road to Lujiazui. Local residents, aware of its poor sanitary conditions, adapted it into a folk saying, "Passing by L泥渡, travelers wear no good clothing." In the 1960s and 70s, with increased population, the area became known for its makeshift shanties and illegal constructions.
Then came the leap of reform and opening up. In 1990, Lujiazui was approved as the only state-level development zone named for financial trade. The 14th National Congress of the Party in 1992 further emphasized the development of Pudong and established Shanghai's strategic positioning as "one leading hub and three centers." Lujiazui, as the core of this national strategy, emerged as a "testing ground" for institutional innovation and an "opening window" to the outside world.
From breaking the land leasing model and allowing foreign banks to enter, to the opening of the stock exchange and the gathering of markets for factors of production, each step was accompanied by intellectual liberation and institutional breakthroughs. Today, Lujiazui ranks among the world's top financial centers, with landmarks like the Oriental Pearl and Jin Mao Tower symbolizing not only a revolutionary transformation in urban space but also China's deep integration into globalization and the cultivation of a socialist market economic system.
Looking towards the future, Lujiazui is on a new mission to support high-level national openness, promote financial supply-side structural reforms, enhance new productivity development, and build a strong financial nation.
**Dialectical Unity of Policy Guidance and Practical Exploration** Reflecting on the essence of the "South Niwan Policy" from the revolutionary era, it emphasizes reliance on the masses to resolve issues, adherence to reality-based principles in determining developmental sequences, and fostering a spirit of hard work to spark intrinsic motivation. An editorial from the 1942 "Liberation Daily" referred to it as the "pioneering policy of agricultural military settlement," highlighting the critical importance of the Party's leadership during pivotal historical moments.
The policy embodies the practice of Mao Zedong's thoughts on independence and self-reliance. Similarly, the historic decision to develop Pudong was not merely regional development but a monumental declaration where the Party led the people to break ideological barriers and embrace the global economy, exploring new frontiers of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
The strategic guideline of "developing Pudong, revitalizing Shanghai, serving the nation, and engaging with the world," reflects the Party's broader strategic vision.
Special economic policies and pilot authority provided crucial support for Lujiazui to break institutional barriers and attract global elements. From early tax incentives and foreign investment access to the current deepening of financial openness, particularly reforms in leading areas like finance serve national strategic demands for fostering new productivity and developing a modern industrial system.
Thus, the policy toolbox has continuously evolved to liberate and develop social productive forces consistently with the ultimate objective of enhancing the socialist market economy.
**The Historical Significance of China's Modernization Path** Ensuring and strengthening the Party's comprehensive leadership is the fundamental guarantee. Whether during the critical period of revolutionary war, the groundbreaking reforms, or the transformative changes in the new era, the Party's strong leadership has always been the most reliable foundation for overcoming difficulties and creating miracles.
The developmental trajectories of the two regions clearly demonstrate that successful undertakings are rooted in correct Party leadership. Upholding a people-centered approach is foundational: South Niwan's agricultural production safeguarded civilians’ lives, while in the new era, it has driven poverty alleviation through land transfer and tourism benefits, reaching a thousand families.
Lujiazui's initiatives like creating "People's waterfront" and cultural services for white-collar workers promote shared financial benefits, all fundamentally aimed at enhancing people's well-being and promoting comprehensive human development. This underscores that China's modernity is characterized by common prosperity, with developmental outcomes shared by all.
Promoting a spirit of hard work is vital for empowerment. The revolutionary zest of the 359th Brigade and the aspiring builders of Pudong share a common ideological foundation. Traditions of self-reliance and diligence, alongside innovative spirits, are powerful driving forces for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
A reality-based approach and adaptability to local conditions represent the essence of methodology. While South Niwan focuses on agricultural self-sufficiency, Lujiazui leverages its geographical advantages to establish a financial hub, illustrating that divergent paths can converge toward common goals—this fully exemplifies the Marxist principle of context-specific analysis.
To advance China's modernization, it is essential to integrate the Party's innovative theories with concrete realities and the country’s excellent traditional culture, exploring developmental pathways that suit its specific conditions.
Deepening reforms and expanding openness are timeless themes. From the localized practices of the "South Niwan Policy" to the national strategy of Pudong's development, from self-reliance to integration into the global landscape, it is clear that reform and opening are continual processes.
As we face new situations and tasks, we must pursue high-level reform and opening with greater political courage and wisdom, dismantling deep-seated institutional barriers to inject continuous impetus for developing new productivity and promoting high-quality growth.
The monumental transformations of South Niwan and Lujiazui encapsulate the progressive development of China under Party leadership. Rising from the "mud" signifies not only the prosperity of these lands but also the resolute steps of a nation towards rejuvenation and a vibrant modern path. At this new historical juncture, we must deeply comprehend the decisive significance of "two establish" and adhere to the "two safeguards," firmly grasping the primary task of high-quality development, accelerating the cultivation of new productivity, and unwaveringly deepening reform and opening to provide Chinese wisdom and solutions for humanity's quest for better social systems.
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