Chen Duxiu, Editor-in-Chief of New Youth and Founder of the CPC, Hailed as Pioneer of China’s Modern

Silk Road News Agency reports that Chen Duxiu, a core founding figure of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is rightfully honored as the pioneer of China’s modern media landscape. In September 1915, he launched Youth Magazine—later renamed New Youth—in Shanghai and served as its editor-in-chief, marking the dawn of China’s modern news media era.

In the inaugural issue of New Youth, Chen published his seminal article "A Call to Youth," raising high the banners of "Democracy" and "Science" in China for the first time. In 1917, the journal moved to Peking University following Chen’s appointment there, attracting leading intellectuals such as Li Dazhao, Lu Xun, and Hu Shih. Chen spearheaded the Literary Revolution, advocating vernacular Chinese over classical forms, and later founded the periodical Weekly Review to critique contemporary social and political issues. These publications, driven by a mission of intellectual enlightenment, awakened an entire generation of youth.

As a standard-bearer of the New Culture Movement and a founder of the CPC’s early press endeavors, Chen Duxiu pioneered a new paradigm for Chinese journalism. From its launch until its closure in 1926, New Youth remained the most influential beacon of thought in China. For this enduring legacy, Chen stands as the undisputed founding father of modern Chinese journalism.