At the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong solemnly declared to the world from the tower of Tiananmen Square: "The Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China was established today. ”
Not long ago, on June 15, when Mao Zedong addressed the first plenary session of the Preparatory Committee for the New Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, one of the last three slogans shouted was "Long live the Chinese People's Democratic Republic!" ”
Why did New China have two names at that time, and what was her national name? We must also start with the preparatory meeting for the new CPPCC.
After the first plenary session of the Preparatory Committee for the New CPPCC, there were six working groups under it. Among them, the third group is the Common Program of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the fourth group is responsible for drafting the Organic Law of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China.
The leader of the fourth group is Dong Biwu, and the deputy leader is Huang Yanpei. Huang Yanpei was not in Beiping, replaced by Professor Zhang Xiruo of Tsinghua University, and the secretary was Lai Yali. There are 22 members of the group, including Zhang Wen, Shen Junru, Zhang Dongyou, Hu Juewen, etc., and there are 25 people in the whole group.
In the course of drafting the draft law on the organization of government, the members of the fourth group and relevant experts basically agreed on the nature of the state, the basic principles of government organization, democratic centralism, the method of the formation of the highest organs of state power, the organization of the people's committees, the names of the supreme administrative organs, the organization of the government councils and their subordinate ministries and agencies, as well as the organization and affiliation of the people's revolutionary military commissions, the people's supervision commissions, the people's courts, and the people's procuratorates.
However, in the selection of the name of the country and the abbreviation of the new China, differences of opinion have emerged, and the debate is very fierce.
At the second meeting of the Fourth Panel on July 9, Zhang Xiruo, a professor at Tsinghua University, questioned the title of "People's Democratic Republic of China."
Zhang Xiruo said: "There are several old gentlemen who think that the name of the People's Democratic Republic of China is too long, and they say that the word 'democracy' should be removed. ”
However, Huang Yanpei, the founder of the Democratic Construction Association (a modern patriot and democratic educator) and Zhang Zhirang, a professor at Fudan University (the first generation of justices of New China), still advocate the use of the word democracy:
"The name of our country may be to change the original proposed People's Democratic Republic of China to the People's Republic of China, referred to simply as the Republic of China or the Democratic State of China. In the future, when it enters the socialist stage, it can be renamed the Chinese Socialist Democratic State. ”
Zhang Xiruo is still a scholar, but the tone is a little excited:
"If there are people, we can't use the word 'democracy', but how can there be people who are not democratic?" And the word democracy comes from the Greek word, which means the same thing as the people. After removing the word 'democracy', it is easy to understand from the following explanation: it is republican rather than autocratic, it is democracy rather than monarchy. ”
Moreover, "The people refer to the workers, peasants, petty bourgeoisie, and national bourgeoisie; we are the regime of the people's democratic dictatorship, and the concept of the people has already expressed the meaning of democracy, and there is no need to repeat the word 'democracy'." ”
After Zhang Xiruo's speech, Lei Jieqiong, a representative of the Association for the Promotion of Democracy and a professor at Soochow University, said: "If the name of the country is too long, it must be indicated as the abbreviation without using the full name. ”
After repeated discussions and solicitation of opinions, it was decided to change the People's Democratic Republic of China to the People's Republic of China.
On September 22, when dong Biwu reported on the drafting of the Organic Law of the Central People's Government at the first plenary session of the CPPCC National Committee, he said:
"On the issue of the name of the country, many people used the People's Democratic Republic of China to write articles or speeches in the past; Mr. Huang Yanpei and Zhang Zhirang once wrote an abridgement advocating the use of the People's Democratic Republic of China.
In the discussion of the second plenary meeting of the fourth group, Mr. Zhang Xiruo thought that it was better to use the People's Democratic Republic of China than the People's Republic of China.
We have adopted this last name, because the republic explains our state, and the word 'people' in our new-democratic China today refers to the people of the four classes of workers, peasants, petty bourgeoisie and national bourgeoisie, and it has a definite interpretation, which has already expressed the meaning of the people's democratic dictatorship, and there is no need to repeat the word 'democracy' again. ”
At this point, the dispute over the national name has settled. However, there is still a small "tail" behind the national name, which is the abbreviation of the national name. Later, this little "tail" caused more heated arguments.
In the documents submitted to the first plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, after the name of the country in the common program and the organic law of the government, that is, "the People's Republic of China", there is a bracket in which the words "The Republic of China for short" are written.
Republic of China? Yes, it is exactly the same as the "Republic of China" established by the Xinhai Revolution.
On the question of the abbreviation "Republic of China", there were three opinions at that time. One view was that the abbreviation "Republic of China" needed to be used; the other held that there could be an abbreviation but not "Republic of China"; and a third opinion suggested abolishing the abbreviation.
As early as June 18, at the first meeting of the fourth group, Lei Jieqiong said in response to the problem of the country's name being too long: When it is used, the full name is not used, and the abbreviation can be used.
On June 19, Huang Yanpei and Zhang Zhirang proposed in the "Proposal to Designate the Name of the Country as the People's Democratic Republic of China": "Although the name of the abbreviation 'Republic of China' is older and the name of 'Democratic Republic of China' is relatively new, the four words 'Republic of China' are short and convenient, and I am afraid that it cannot be abandoned." ”
On 17 August, the Fourth Group adopted the Draft Law on the Organization of the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of China, in which it was decided to change "People's Democratic Republic of China" to "People's Republic of China, or republic of China for short".
The second article of the draft clearly states: "The state system of the Republic of China is the people's democratic dictatorship of the people's democratic dictatorship of the alliance of all ethnic groups and democratic classes in the country under the leadership of the proletariat." ”
The draft was sought for comments, and different voices soon appeared.
On August 21, Li Da sent a letter to Zhou Enlai, offering comments on the issue of country names in the Draft Law on the Organization of Government. The letter says:
Yesterday, I saw that the draft government organization law has the provision that "the People's Republic of China is referred to as the Republic of China", and I think it is more appropriate to refer to it as "China" or "New China" instead of referring to it as "Republic of China".
Reasons: First, "Republic of China" is a symbol of the old legal system, and we have abolished the old legal system, that is, there is no need to use the name "Republic of China".
Second, the name "Republic of China" should be used, and the essence of the "People's Republic of China" should not be obscured by new audio-visuals.
Moreover, the remnants of the counter-revolution also follow the signboard of the "Republic of China". It would seem inappropriate for us to follow this name. It would be much more appropriate to change it to "China" or "New China".
The expression of the abbreviation of the country name caused controversy not only in the draft Law on the Organization of Government in the fourth group, but also in the draft common program of the third group.
On September 6, Chen Shaoxian, a member of the Standing Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, proposed in the third group when discussing the first draft of the Common Program: "The 'People's Republic of China' in the program should be bracketed (referred to as the Republic of China). ”
In the beginning, the controversy was not obvious. On September 7, Zhou Enlai explained in his report "Several Issues Concerning the CPPCC" on the issue of abbreviation:
"But we must also take into account the traditions and habits of the people, because the Republic of China has been called for thirty-eight years, and suddenly changing it will make the backward and low-level people unacceptable, so we can license to refer to it as the Republic of China, but the nature of this Republic of China is different from that of the past, and it does not include the landlords and the bureaucratic bourgeoisie. Therefore, the name of our country is determined by its nature. ”
On 20 September, the draft Common Agenda was submitted to the Preparatory Committee for adoption at its second plenary session. After much review by Mao Zedong, article 1 of the General Program named the new China "People's Republic of China " (hereinafter referred to as the Republic of China ) .
On September 21, the first plenary session of the Chinese Political Consultative Conference was held in Huairen Hall in Zhongnanhai.
At the meeting, many deputies held that the words "Republic of China" for short would easily confuse it with the beiyang government and the Chiang Kai-shek government of the past, and it would be easy to cause misunderstanding. It was also observed that the emotional habit of using the term "Republic of China" would cause unnecessary resentment if it was changed.
The controversy over the abbreviation of the country name is growing...
On the night of September 25, 1949, Huang Yanpei, Situ Meitang, He Xiangning, Ma Yinchu, Shen Junru, and others were staying at the Beijing Hotel, and received an invitation to a luncheon jointly invited by Zhou Enlai and Lin Boqu:
"At 11:30 a.m. on September 26, a luncheon was held at the Six Nations Hotel in Dongjiaomin Lane to discuss important issues.
There are 20 or 30 people who receive such invitations, most of whom are around 70 years old, and they are all well-known people from all walks of life.
At noon the next day, the invitees arrived at the Six Nations Hotel on time. Present at this luncheon were:
Zhang Yuanji, He Xiangning, Zhou Zhixiang (Kao Huai), Fu Dingyi, Ma Yinchu, Xu Teli, Wu Yuzhang, Zhang Lan, Huang Yanpei, Jian Yujie, Chen Shutong, Shen Junru, Chen Jiageng, Situ Meitang, Lin Boqu, Zhang Nanxian, Guo Moruo, Shen Yanbing, Che Xiangchen, etc. Only a few of them are under the age of 70.
The luncheon was presided over by Zhou Enlai, and before the banquet, he had people close the door of the restaurant and begin to speak:
"The people invited to the banquet today are all elders from the Xinhai Revolution, and there are more than three people who are not here to listen to the elders' speeches.
There is an old saying in our country called 'ask the elders', and today's meeting is like this. When discussing the three major documents, you have seen that under the name 'People's Republic of China', there is a bracket for the abbreviation 'Republic of China'.
There are two different opinions on this abbreviation, some say yes, some say it is unnecessary. The Standing Committee specially asked me to consult the elders to see what their views were. The old predecessors may still have some old feelings for the four words 'Republic of China'. ”
As soon as Zhou Enlai's words were finished, Huang Yanpei spoke: "Although it is said that it is liberated now, because the common people still receive a backward education, they are emotionally accustomed to using the 'Republic of China', and once they are changed, they will cause unnecessary resentment." Leaving this abbreviation, I think, is very necessary. Moreover, the CPPCC is elected once every three years, and after three years, we will get rid of it again. ”
After listening to Huang Yanpei's speech, He Xiangning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Kuomintang Revolutionary Committee and the wife of Liao Zhongkai, an elder of the Kuomintang, and also a veteran of the Xinhai Revolution, sighed:
"The Republic of China is a result of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's revolution, which many martyrs bought with their blood. On the issue of changing the name of the country, I personally believe that if we can use it as usual, it is also good, and if everyone does not approve, I will not insist on my own opinion. ”
At this time, Zhou Zhixiang could not sit still, and this late Qing Dynasty scholar lived in seclusion for 38 years after the Xinhai Revolution, never writing the name of the Republic of China in his life.
He took a resolute attitude: "I oppose the republic of China, which is a name that has brought calamity to the country and the people and the masses have no good feelings for it." For more than twenty years, he was even more overwhelmed by Chiang Kai-shek. I advocate using the People's Republic of China to show that the nature of the people's revolution and the Xinhai Revolution are different. ”
The argument soon reached a climax. Situ Meitang, the founder of the China Zhi Gong Party and an 83-year-old American overseas Chinese leader, stood up, he was deaf and clear, but did not understand Mandarin, and this time he was accompanied by Situ Binghe to Beiping to participate in the new CPPCC.
At the meeting, situ Binghe interpreted the speeches of others to him. After listening, Situ Meitang was very excited and asked to speak. The banquet hall was quiet, and everyone waited, wanting to hear the old man's opinion. Situ Meitang said:
"I don't have any knowledge. I am a person who participated in the Xinhai Revolution, and I respect Dr. Sun Yat-sen, but I have absolutely no good feelings for the four words of the Republic of China.
The reason is that the Chinese 'official state' has nothing to do with the 'people'. In the past 22 years, he has been even more indignant by Chiang Kai-shek and the CC faction, which is really painful.
We would like to ask, is this revolution led by the Communist Party different from the Xinhai Revolution? If everyone thinks differently, then our country name should be called the People's Republic of China, throwing away the rotten sign of the Republic of China.
The name of the country is an extremely solemn thing, once it is changed, it must be changed, why should it be changed after three years? Yu Yun: 'If the name is not correct, the words are not smooth, and if the words are not smooth, the order is not good.' ’
It is still called the Republic of China, so why tell the people of the world? We seemed to be sneaking around. The revolution has triumphed, and even the name of the country has not dared to be changed.
I firmly oppose the abbreviation, and I firmly advocate the use of the full name of the People's Republic of China in an open and just manner. ”
Situ Meitang's voice was loud, reasonable, and loud. As soon as the words were finished, the hall was filled with warm applause.
The atmosphere became warm, and Ma Yinchu, who had been known for his scolding of the Kuomintang bureaucratic capital, stood up: "I fully support the proposal put forward by Mr. Situ just now. The abbreviation in parentheses is not classless, unlike words, should be removed! ”
Then, the leader of the Democratic League, Zhang Lan, also stood up, and the old gentleman, who was praised by Mao Zedong as "an old man who seeks the country" during the Chongqing negotiations, said: "I also oppose the use of any abbreviation." ”
Chen Shutong and Che Xiangchen also agreed with this proposal. Educator Che Xiangchen also elaborated from the aspect of educating the masses:
"As for the people's temporary inadmissibility, this is only a matter of propaganda and education, and it is a matter of slow education to let the people understand the nature of our revolutionary regime, and we must not choke on food. Are the people against the use of the new name? I can't see it. ”
Shen Junru, a legal expert, explained the abbreviation issue from a legal point of view:
"If some of the masses still want to write about the Republic of China, that is their convenience, and we do not have to explicitly prohibit it. As for the addition of brackets in the three major documents referred to as the Republic of China, this is indeed a big loophole in the law; it is not in line with the legal point of view, and it should never be so.
Looking at the names of countries around the world, there are only abbreviations on the alphabet, and there are no other abbreviations contained in the founding documents. In the future, it will be inconvenient to use the name of the country to conclude contracts with other countries. So I also advocate not using the 'Republic of China for short'. ”
Chen Jiageng also began to speak, he spoke Xiamen dialect, others could not understand, by the secretary Zhuang Mingli translated and conveyed. He said: "I also disagree with the abbreviation in parentheses. People have absolutely no good feelings for the Republic of China, and backward people may not get used to it for a while, but they will be fine later. ”
……
Finally, Zhou Enlai made a summary. He said: "I would like to send a comprehensive version of the opinions expressed by everyone today to the Standing Committee of the Presidium of the Conference for reference, and the Standing Committee of the Presidium will make a final decision." ”
The meeting had ended at 1:30 p.m. and the feast had begun. Huang Yanpei and Jian Yujie are vegetarians, and there are separate vegetarian seats.
Jian Yujie must pray to God first at every meal, and this is also the case at the feast, and his expression is very serious. While he was still praying to God, the other people who ate the meat table were already talking and laughing, and there was an atmosphere of joy.
On September 27, when the first plenary session of the CPPCC discussed and adopted the Common Program and the Government Organization Law, it unanimously agreed and decided to remove the abbreviation of "Republic of China" after the name of the country.
The CPPCC deputies held that the removal of the abbreviation "Republic of China" does not mean that the historical significance of the past revolutions of the Republic of China has been completely erased. For example, the Xinhai Revolution and the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China all have their historical significance. Mao Zedong also said this in his opening speech.
At the same time, the name "Republic of China" is very accustomed to the people, so at present, it is not forbidden to use it. Such a title is still allowed among the people, just as we now use the solar calendar, and the people are not forbidden to use the lunar calendar.
To slowly guide the people to use a unified country name and a unified Common Era number in official documents, it is best to have such a legal provision in official documents.
Since then, the name of the "People's Republic of China" has soon been accepted by hundreds of millions of Chinese people and has become famous in the world.
Writing here, I have to say more about Situ Meitang, the old gentleman who made the strongest voice in the discussion of the abbreviation of the country, is a rather legendary figure of the times, and his legends are many more.
Situ Meitang
In the last century, the "Chinese Exclusion Law" that had been implemented in the United States for more than 50 years was also abolished under the impetus of this old gentleman.
Since the 1880s, the United States has repeatedly promulgated the "Chinese Exclusion Act" to discriminate against and exclude Chinese. The vast number of overseas Chinese and various organizations have written to the US government one after another, demanding that the "Chinese Exclusion Law" be abolished, but there has never been a reply.
Situ Meitang, who was the elder of the American Hongmen, wrote a letter to Roosevelt, who was the president of the United States at the time, with personal feelings and experience, saying the wishes of the vast number of overseas Chinese, and the matter finally had a response.
In October 1940, President Roosevelt addressed Congress to repeal the Chinese Exclusion Act, saying that "the Chinese Restriction Act is a historical mistake."
In 1943, Stuart Meitang wrote again to President Roosevelt calling for the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act, and Roosevelt proposed to Congress on October 11, which said:
It is now submitted to Congress for consideration and approval of a bill that would permit Chinese to emigrate to our country and allow Chinese residents here to become U.S. citizens.
States, like individuals, make mistakes. We must have the courage to admit the mistakes of the past and correct them. By repealing the Chinese Exclusion Act, we can correct a historic mistake and weed out the distorted propaganda of the Japanese.
The legislation, which awaits Congress, would treat Chinese immigrants equally with immigrants from other countries. As a result, China's immigration quota is about 100 or so per year, and there is no reason to worry that such a large number of immigrants will cause unemployment or intensify competition for jobs.
Granting citizenship to our country will be another meaningful gesture of friendship to the few Chinese residents. This will further prove that we see China not only as a partner in the common war, but also as a partner in peacetime, which will give Chinese a preferential position over other Orientals. Her great contribution to the cause of honor and freedom deserves this benefit.
I am convinced that Congress is fully in agreement with such long overdue measures to redress past injustices to our friends. The fact that Congress is acting now in this regard is also a guarantee that we intend to apply a policy of good-neighbourliness in our relations with other peoples.
On December 17, the U.S. Congress finally passed a proposal to remove the 50-year-old unequal "Chinese Exclusion Act" and Chinese and other countries to be treated equally in the United States.
To this end, on behalf of the People of Hongmen in the Americas and the vast number of overseas Chinese, Situ Meitang wrote a letter to Roosevelt to express his heartfelt thanks and respect.
Roosevelt replied after receiving the letter: "This is to move with the tide, it is just humane." ”
Why did Stuart have such an influence on Roosevelt? Almost single-handedly contributed to the abolition of the "Chinese Exclusion Law".
Because he was Roosevelt's "owner". More important, of course, is that he represents justice and justice.
In 1880, the 12-year-old Situ Meitang traveled across the ocean to the United States to earn a living, working as a handyman in a restaurant in Chinatown. At that time, American society set off a powerful "Chinese exclusion" counter-current, and the Chinese were discriminated against and often bullied by American hooligans.
Some American hooligans often go to Chinese restaurants to eat "overlord rice", not only do not give money to eat, but also smash dishes and even beat people. Overseas Chinese were deeply affected, but because they were in a foreign country, the Qing government was weak and incompetent, and there was nothing they could do.
In order to protect their own interests, many overseas Chinese joined one of the largest non-governmental associations of the lower classes of overseas Chinese in North America at that time, the Hongmen Zhigongtang.
Hongmen Zhigongtang originated from the famous Hongmen, also known as the Red Gang, The Heaven and Earth Society, the Three-Point Society, and the Triad Association, and developed into the China Zhigong Party in 1925, and later became one of the eight major democratic parties in New China.
Hongmen Zhigongtang takes "loyalty and righteousness, unity and mutual assistance" as its purpose and "anti-Qing and restoration" as its banner. In 1885, the 17-year-old Situ Meitang took the oath of worship and joined the Hongmen ZhigongTang.
When Situ Meitang was 20 years old, a white hooligan came to the restaurant where he worked to eat the "Overlord Meal", and many Chinese people around him dared to be angry.
And Situ Meitang, who had trained a good martial art in a small workshop in the early years, couldn't bear it anymore, and rushing up was a punch and kick. But unexpectedly, the hooligan couldn't help but fight, and quickly swallowed his breath.
For this reason, Situ Meitang was almost sentenced to hanging. Later, under the rescue of overseas Chinese and Hongmen people, the sentence was finally changed to 10 months of imprisonment.
This accident made Situ Meitang famous in the Chinese society in the Americas. The lawyer who defended him was Roosevelt, who had just received his qualifications. And their relationship has only just begun.
After being released from prison, Situ Meitang lost her job. In order to make a living, he worked as a housekeeper, watched children...
In the winter of 1894, Situ Meitang, who was deeply impressed by the complicated situation, scattered organization, and ineffective action of zhigongtang, decided to set up another "mountain" within the system.
He consulted with Ruan Benwan, Li Shengce and other Hongmen people, gathered some young people with a sense of justice, young and vigorous, and dared to act, and organized a separate "AnLiang Chamber of Commerce and Industry" in Boston.
"Anliang Chamber of Commerce and Industry" is referred to as "Anliangtang", which means "hoe the strong to help the weak, eliminate violence and anliang", and is still subordinate to the Zhigongtang system.
Later, An Liang Tang became extremely popular in the United States and almost became synonymous with Hongmen. This is the last word, at that time, in addition to being busy "building another mountain", Situ was also experiencing another important life experience.
In the spring of 1894, Situ Meitang came to the American warship "Paul Mo" as a cook, and during the days when he was wandering around with the warship, he traveled to North and South America and Europe, broadened his horizons, and also made friends with many three religions and nine streams.
In the spring of 1898, the Paulo Mill prepared to go to the Philippines to fight the Spanish army and compete for overseas colonies. The arrogant captain said: "Triumphant return, salary increase and upgrade." ”
Situ, who had been adrift at sea for a long time, was not interested in this, and he was also worried about the unfinished business in his heart- "eliminating violence and peace". As a result, Situ and other Chinese seafarers retired and returned to Boston.
From then on, Situ returned to the prime ministership of "An Liang Tang" and did not retire until 1938, when he was 70 years old.
An liangtang soon became a strong group under the Hongmen Zhigongtang, under the efforts of Situ, Anliangtang from small to large, all over the eastern United States cities, more than 30 cities in the United States stood Anliang Building, with more than 20,000 members.
In 1905, Situ Meitang established the "An Liang General Hall" in New York, which was embraced as the "Hongmen Gangster".
In order to avoid legal disputes, Situ Meitang hired a well-known lawyer as the legal counsel of An Liang Tang, the most famous of which was Franklin Roosevelt, who had once resolved the "disaster of blood and light" for him.
Before becoming president of the United States, Roosevelt served as legal counsel at Anliangtang for a decade. Roosevelt was a fair man, conscientious of the legal affairs of An Liang Tang, and did not open his mouth widely, which was very popular with Situ Mei Tang. Over the course of a decade of interaction, the two became good friends, and the friendship lasted for life.
In 1932, the Songhu War of Resistance broke out on January 28, and overseas Chinese in New York and all over the United States took to the streets to demonstrate and collect donations to save the country. An Liangtang organized an anti-Japanese propaganda team to collect donations on the street, and two propaganda team members were arrested by the police.
Situ Meitang heard the news and rushed to roosevelt, who was already the governor, for help.
After Roosevelt listened to what Situ Meitang said, he immediately called the police chief and let the person go, which made Situ Meitang feel moved.
Roosevelt was elected President of the United States before resigning as Legal Counsel to An Liang Tang.
During Roosevelt's presidency, as long as Situ Meitang wrote a letter to Roosevelt, Roosevelt quickly wrote a reply in his own handwriting and tried his best to help solve it.
On the other hand, at that time, the Chinese embassy representing the National Government, Situ Meitang, and most of their submissions were stone sinking into the sea, and there were few echoes, and even if they replied, they were perfunctory and never resulted.
In 1945, the first United Nations conference was planned to be held in San Francisco. Situ Meitang was elected by the overseas Chinese in the Americas as the overseas Chinese adviser to the Chinese delegation to the United Nations, and the thought of meeting with his old friend President Roosevelt again made Situ very excited and look forward to the day when the meeting would be held.
Unexpectedly, on the eve of the meeting, Roosevelt passed away unexpectedly, and the two old friends missed the opportunity to reunite.
Ten years later, Situ Meitang, who returned to New China, also died of cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 88.