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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Red industrial heritage in China

production and played significant roles in establishing representation of the CPC’s entire historical legacy. As
some of China’s earliest trade union organizations at the essence of China’s industrial heritage system since
locations such as the Anyuan Coal Mine, the Daye Iron modern times, red industrial heritage embodies values
Mine, and the Changxindian No. 27 Locomotive Factory. spanning history, culture, economy, technology, and art.
These leaders believed in unifying Chinese workers into an However, the broad scope of these values can obscure
organization capable of collective struggle. the uniqueness and precision of red industrial heritage.
Before 1949, the CPC had already made significant Its distinct characteristics and contributions to global
strides in industrial production within its revolutionary industrial development can only be fully appreciated when
bases, border regions, and liberated areas, integrating contextualized within the broader frameworks of national
military struggle with industrial development. For history, economy, defense, diplomacy, and social culture.
example, the Central Red Army established a printing First, as a historical witness to the CPC’s leadership in the
factory and an arsenal in Ruijin to achieve self-sufficiency modernization of socialism with Chinese characteristics,
in military supplies. The New Fourth Army set up factories red industrial heritage holds profound historical
such as the Daji Tobacco Factory and the Donghai Tobacco significance (Brown, 2017). The extensive system and scale
Factory in northern Jiangsu province and southern Anhui of red industrial heritage serve as tangible evidence of
province, respectively. In the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong- the CPC’s achievements in industrial construction across
Henan border area, the Eighth Route Army operated quilt different historical periods. It also embodies the CPC’s
and paper factories, fostering a system where industry values and spiritual pursuits. Politically, red industrial
supported the war effort. In addition, the CPC organized heritage is symbolic, recording China’s industrial evolution
facilities such as the Limin Woolen Spinning Factory, from its infancy to its emergence as a global industrial
Xinhua Chemical Factory, and Zhenhua Paper Factory, powerhouse, showcasing the CPC’s ability to balance
laying a solid foundation for military and industrial construction with revolution. Culturally, it encapsulates the
production in the once economically weak Yan’an region. national spirit of self-reliance, the steadfast commitment

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in to national rejuvenation, and the historical trajectory by
1949, the CPC set its overarching goal of “transforming our which China became the “world factory.”
country as soon as possible from a backward agricultural Secondly, red industrial heritage holds multi-
country to an advanced industrial country.” Through this dimensional economic, social, and cultural significance.
process, the industrial system became a cornerstone of the As a repository of social memory, it preserves valuable
CPC’s leadership in national modernization. historical information and provides a platform for the
Building on this historical context, this study proposes public, especially younger generations, to learn about the
the following definition for “red industrial heritage”: It country’s industrial development and the achievements
refers to the modern industrial heritage system formed as of socialist construction. As a unique cultural heritage,
a result of the nation’s modernization under the leadership it reflects China’s industrial trajectory and cultural soft
of the CPC, from its founding in 1921 to the present day. power. The revolutionary spirit it embodies plays a vital
This definition encompasses significant cultural relics role in shaping socialist core values and moral standards.
recognized within the framework of cultural heritage Furthermore, red industrial heritage has been repurposed
preservation, as well as historical and material evidence— into art parks, creative studios, and cultural exhibition
such as a wealth of industrial heritage from the reform spaces, fostering innovation and creativity. These
and opening-up period—that may fall outside official revitalized spaces serve as hubs for emerging industries
preservation frameworks but hold substantial value. As an and new cultural expressions, supporting regional brand
irreplaceable red cultural resource, its core value lies in its development and offering creative opportunities for artists
representation of modern history, securing a significant and designers.
and unique place within China’s industrial and cultural As a cultural tourism asset, the renewal and
heritage systems. transformation of red industrial heritage enrich public
cultural experiences and stimulate local tourism, creating
2.2. Interpretation of the value of red industrial employment opportunities and promoting economic
heritage and cultural activities in surrounding areas. Community

Red industrial heritage is a vital repository of China’s engagement in conservation and utilization projects fosters
contemporary mainstream cultural resources. In addition social cohesion and the accumulation of social capital,
to sharing multiple values with other types of industrial improving overall community well-being. In addition, the
heritage, it holds unique cultural significance as a preservation and reuse of red industrial heritage support

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2025) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4611