The Art of the Party: Turning to Fight in Northern Shaanxi

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The traditional Chinese ink and color painting "Turning to Fight in Northern Shaanxi" was created by artist Shi Lu in 1959.

Shi depicted Chairman Mao Zedong standing on a narrow ridge amidst a sprawling mountain range.

The depiction shows Mao's confidence in what would be the Communist Party of China's ultimate victory in the Chinese Civil War.

Following the end of the war against Japan's invasion of China, the Kuomintang and the CPC signed an agreement for the peaceful reconstruction of China.

But in June, 1946, the Kuomintang tore up the armistice agreement and launched an attack on PLA forces in the strategic Central Plain Liberation Area, marking the start of the civil war.

The PLA fought against KMT forces until March 1947 when the KMT temporarily seized the CPC capital of Yan'an.

But the CPC quickly counterattacked and on March 18, 1947, the PLA advanced into Northern Shaanxi, marking the CPC's transition from a posture of strategic defense to strategic offense.

Many more battles were fought as the PLA moved for 371 days through 12 counties before recovering Yan'an on April 22, 1949.

The PLA triumphs in Northern Shaanxi were a turning point in the Chinese revolution - boosting the army's morale and strengthening the people's confidence in victory.

It laid the foundation for the coming liberation of the country.

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