China News Service, Dali, July 21st, title: Behind the peaceful liberation of Tibet: "patriotism and love for hometown" in Xizhou, the hometown of overseas Chinese

　　China News Agency reporter Miao Chao and Shi Guanglin

　　At the foot of Cangshan Mountain, the shore of Erhai Lake

The small fishing village of the Bai nationality is quiet and peaceful.

　　This year marks the 70th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet. A reporter from China News Agency recently visited Xizhou Town, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, the hometown of overseas Chinese along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway. This small overseas Chinese town has made many contributions to the peaceful liberation of Tibet.

　　Strolling in the ancient bluestone streets of Xizhou, from time to time to give way to the "princess carriage" carrying tourists.

What is rarely known to tourists is that the ancestors of these coachmen and horses travelled all over Southeast Asia and even took root in foreign countries.

　　Zhang Fuyuan, born in 1946, was an old Bai nationality who was born in Sri Lanka and grew up in Sri Lanka.

Speaking of his hometown, he couldn't hide his pride, "In Xizhou, almost every household has a relationship with overseas Chinese. My grandfather and father lived in Myanmar as a foreigner."

　　In ancient times, Xizhou was an important town on the Ancient Southern Silk Road-the "Ancient Tea Horse Road", with prosperous commerce and developed handicrafts.

According to historical records, Xizhou was a famous shopping mall during the Nanzhao period of the Tang Dynasty more than a thousand years ago.

　　During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, the well-known "Xizhou Merchant Group" was formed at home and abroad, and later developed into a small town with more than 300 households and more than 740 centers around the "four great families", "eight middle schools" and "twelve small families". There are 119 business names outside, and about 100 companies participate in export trade.

Xizhou has become one of the hometowns of overseas Chinese in Yunnan due to business travel abroad and the increase of overseas Chinese.

　　"My grandfather and father used to be partners of the largest company in Xizhou, "Yongchangxiang". They lived and do business in Myanmar all year round." Zhang Fuyuan told reporters that once they earn money outside, they will take it back or send money home to repair and expand House.

Nowadays, there are a large number of Bai people's old houses with "three squares and one zhaobi" preserved in Xizhou.

　　Xizhou overseas Chinese businessmen love their country and their hometown.

During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the overseas Chinese in Xizhou, Myanmar, sent back a large amount of materials such as cotton yarn, gasoline, and medicine that were lacking in the country through the Myanmar-Burma Highway to support the motherland in the war of resistance.

After the Japanese occupation of Burma, they returned to China to donate money and materials for the war of resistance, and to set up new schools to save the nation.

Before the fall of Wuhan, Hubei, Huazhong University (now Huazhong Normal University) moved to Xizhou in March 1939 to run a school at the invitation of overseas Chinese in Xizhou.

　　The patriotism of Xizhou, the hometown of overseas Chinese, was vividly manifested during the peaceful liberation of Tibet.

In 1950, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made the decision to march into Tibet. Among them, the supplies of the troops entering Tibet on the South Road were mobilized from various parts of Yunnan, and among them, Dali was located in western Yunnan.

　　The soldiers and horses have not moved, the food and grass go first.

Following Chairman Mao’s instructions to “move on one side and build roads on the other side”, the troops marching on North Road into Tibet built the Sichuan-Tibet Highway from Sichuan.

On the South Road, while organizing the transportation of human and livestock supplies, the Yunnan-Tibet highway project was launched in August 1950, and the highway construction headquarters was located in Xizhou.

　　"Our family also lived in the People's Liberation Army. My mother cleaned the empty rooms upstairs and downstairs and let them live in the People's Liberation Army." Zhang Fuyuan told reporters.

　　The PLA's short stay in Xizhou left the local people with the impression of strict military discipline, amiability, and service to the people.

Zhang Fuyuan still remembers clearly, "I was naughty, and I accidentally dropped a ball on the steps while playing at home, and broke a mouth on my head. The uncle of the People's Liberation Army who lives in my house called a health worker to help me stop bleeding."

　　At that time, the people of Xizhou not only provided lodging for the People's Liberation Army, but the caravan company also helped carry rations and supplies to Tibet.

Among the more than 24,600 migrant workers who built the Yunnan-Tibet Highway, Xizhou people also participated.

They all contributed to the peaceful liberation of Tibet to varying degrees.

　　Seventy years passed quickly. Most of the old people in Xizhou who helped Tibet peacefully liberate have passed away, but their descendants have been able to set foot on the snow-covered plateau and appreciate the beauty of Tibet.

　　"Many of the younger generation in Xizhou often travel to Tibet." Zhang Fuyuan told reporters that he often heard them say that the Yunnan-Tibet Highway is a majestic and steep "heavenly road" and Tibet is a magical and magnificent "paradise".

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