On July 23, 1921, the First National Congress of the Communist  Party of China (CPC) opened in Shanghai. Due to disturbances from the  French Concession patrols, the meeting was forced to move to a boat on  South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, where the congress continued  and completed its agenda, marking the official establishment of the CPC.  This boat thus earned a name that has been permanently etched in the  history of the Chinese revolution—the “Red Boat”. The great  revolutionary spirit embodied in the founding of the CPC is known as the  “Red Boat Spirit”.

“Creativity that explores new horizons and leads the way, unwavering determination and perseverance in pursuit of ideals, and dedication to  public service and loyalty to the people are the sources of the Chinese  revolutionary spirit,as well as the profound essence of the „Red Boat  Spirit‟.” ---- President Xi Jinping, June 21, 2005