Born: 1901 (Changhua County, Taiwan)
Biography:
Xie Xuehong, born Xie Shi Anu on October 17, 1901, was a remarkable Chinese politician and women’s rights activist who played a significant role in the history of Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Party. Despite facing numerous challenges and persecution, Xie’s dedication to her beliefs and determination to fight for social justice made her a prominent figure in the struggle for women’s rights and the advancement of communism in Taiwan.
Xie was born in Changhua County, Taiwan, into a working-class family. She was the fourth of seven children and faced the hardships that came with growing up in a modest household. Throughout her life, Xie went by various names, a reflection of the tumultuous times she lived in.
At the age of twelve, Xie moved in with another family, seeking refuge from an abusive home environment. However, she soon found herself entangled in another challenging situation – being forced into an arranged marriage with their son, Hong Xinhu. Determined to escape this fate, she fled from their home and took control of her own destiny.
In 1918, Xie met and married Zhang Shumin. They initially lived in Kobe, Japan, where Xie was heavily influenced by the Taishō period of democracy. However, their marriage soon ended when Xie discovered that Zhang was still married to another woman. Undeterred by this setback, Xie took up sewing and tailoring, providing for herself by giving sewing lessons and selling clothes.
Xie’s life took a significant turn during the May Fourth Movement, a political awakening that had a lasting impact on her ideologies and activism. Inspired by Chiang Wei-shui’s resistance against Japanese rule, Xie joined the cause, becoming actively involved in the fight for freedom and social justice.
Recognizing the importance of education, Xie studied sociology at Shanghai University and participated in the May Thirtieth Movement of 1925. It was during this time that she was encouraged to join the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a decision that would shape the rest of her life.
In pursuit of further education and to deepen her understanding of communist ideals, Xie moved to Moscow to attend the Communist University of the Toilers of the East. She spent two years in Moscow, immersing herself in revolutionary teachings and gaining insights that would prove invaluable in her future endeavors.
In November 1927, Xie returned to China, ready to put her newfound knowledge into action. She began laying the groundwork for the formation of the Taiwanese Communist Party (TCP), with guidance from Sen Katayama, the co-founder of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP). Alongside Lin Mu-shun, Xie embarked on a recruiting mission in Shanghai, seeking support and drafting a party charter with help from the JCP.
Xie’s perseverance paid off, and on April 13, 1928, the TCP’s charter was approved by a Chinese Communist Party official using the pseudonym Peng Jung. Two days later, the Taiwanese Communist Party’s founding ceremony took place, marking a significant milestone in Xie’s political career.
Xie’s ideology of maintaining a distinct Taiwanese identity and allowing the bourgeoisie to participate in the communist movement set her apart from some of her colleagues. She believed that this approach would facilitate the growth of communism in Taiwan. However, her views were not universally embraced, and in 1931, she found herself expelled from the Taiwanese Communist Party.
Tragically, Xie’s commitment to her beliefs led to her arrest later that year. She was sentenced to 13 years in prison for advocating communism. Despite this setback, Xie remained resilient and unyielding in her principles.
After her release, Xie moved to mainland China and became a member of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League and the Chinese Communist Party. Throughout her life, she continued to fight for women’s rights and the ideals of communism, leaving an indelible mark on Taiwan’s history.
Xie Xuehong’s unwavering determination and her contributions to women’s rights and the advancement of communism have solidified her place in history as a trailblazer and inspiration for future generations.