The exam

Xibaipo, a township about 350 km from Beijing, is an old revolutionary base, where the CPC leadership stationed from May 1948 to early 1949 to draw the blueprint of a new country and prepare for the CPC's new role as the ruling party.

In March 1949, the CPC leadership decided to leave Xibaipo for Beijing. Mao Zedong compared the trek to "going for a big exam in the capital city."

Mao called on the whole Party to remain modest, prudent and free from arrogance and rashness in their style of work, and preserve the style of plain living and hard struggle.

Xi said he had been to Xibaipo many times. "Each time, I came with a lot of respect and left with many thoughts," said Xi while inspecting the township in 2013. During the visit, Xi also urged the whole Party to draw positive energy from the history and stand the tests of the people.

In September 2019, a few days ahead of the 70th founding anniversary of the PRC, Xi visited a revolutionary memorial site in suburban Beijing, where the CPC briefly settled down after leaving Xibaipo.

He again mentioned the relevance of the "big exam" 70 years ago.

The CPC members should always maintain their enterprising spirit, ensure the Party's purity and advanced nature, and pass the test of the new era, Xi stressed.

"Looking ahead, China has very bright prospects for development," Xi said.