Born: September 4, 1895 (Xupu, Hunan province)
Died: May 1, 1928 (Shanghai)
Biography:
Xiang Jingyu (Chinese: 向警予; pinyin: Xiàng Jǐngyǔ; Wade–Giles: Hsiang Ching-yü, September 4, 1895 – May 1, 1928, née Xiang Junxian), was one of the earliest female members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), widely regarded as a pioneer of the women’s movement in China.
Born on September 4, 1895, in Xupu, Hunan province, Xiang Jingyu came from a family steeped in tradition and success. Her father, Xiang Ruiling, was a prosperous businessman, and her mother, Deng Yugui, unfortunately passed away when Xiang Jingyu was young. Growing up with ten siblings, Xiang Jingyu was exposed to different perspectives and experiences within her family.
Guided by her older brother, Xiang Xianyue, who had studied in Japan and became a leader of the Tongmenghui in West Hunan, Xiang Jingyu attended the primary school he founded in Wenchangge in 1903. This decision made her the first girl to study in a school during the imperial era in China. Xiang Jingyu’s thirst for knowledge and her determination to make a difference in her country’s future were evident from an early age.
With the downfall of the Qing Dynasty and the advent of the Xinhai Revolution, Xiang Jingyu moved to Changsha in 1911. There, she enrolled in the First Provincial Women’s Normal School of Hunan, but later transferred to Zhou Nan Women’s School. During this time, Xiang Jingyu developed a keen interest in state affairs and actively participated in public demonstrations. As a response to the signing of the humiliating Twenty-One Demands, she and other students took to the streets, hoping to ignite patriotic enthusiasm among the Chinese people.
After completing her studies at Zhou Nan Women’s School, Xiang Jingyu returned to her hometown with a belief that education could rescue China. In pursuit of this vision, she established the Xupu Primary School with the support of local progressives. As the school’s principal, Xiang Jingyu hired progressive youths as teachers, focusing on imparting new knowledge and ideas. The school’s transformative approach quickly attracted students, with enrollment reaching up to 300.
In April 1918, Mao Zedong and Cai Hesen founded the New Citizen’s Academic Association in Hunan. Inspired by their work, Xiang Jingyu decided to pursue a career outside of teaching. She traveled to Beijing and sought an audience with Mr. Cai Yuanpei, the principal of Peking University. This encounter led to a meeting with Cai Hesen, and the two developed a strong bond. In July 1919, Xiang Jingyu was invited by Cai Hesen to join him in Changsha and take part in the Hunan work-study movement in France.
In December of that year, Xiang Jingyu, Cai Hesen, Cai Chang, Cai Hesen’s mother, and others embarked on a journey to France, becoming part-time Chinese students. Xiang Jingyu enrolled at the Montargis Women’s University, where she immersed herself in the study of Marxist works, solidifying her belief in Marxism and Communism.
Throughout her life, Xiang Jingyu continued to demonstrate her dedication to the Chinese Communist Party and the advancement of women’s rights. She played a significant role in organizing and mobilizing women in the labor movement in the 1920s and became a prominent figure in the Chinese women’s movement.
Tragically, Xiang Jingyu’s life was cut short on May 1, 1928, when she was executed by the Kuomintang government in Shanghai. Despite her untimely death, her legacy lives on as a pioneering figure in the women’s movement of China and a symbol of unwavering dedication to the principles of Marxism and communism.