The Special Representatives of the ICC Attend the Symposium Commemorating the 120th Birth Anniversary of Edgar Snow

On July 19 2025, the China Institute of Strategy and Management (CISM) held a symposium in Beijing to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Edgar Snow's birth. The meeting noted that Edgar Snow was an old friend of the Chinese people. Amid the flames of the Anti-Japanese War, Snow ventured into the Soviet-controlled areas and, through the book Red Star Over China, broke through the blockade to present the world with a true image of the Communist Party of China. Afterwards, he devoted himself to publicizing China's revolutionary and construction efforts, playing a significant role in enhancing the understanding of China among western nations. The meeting emphasized the need to uphold and carry forward Edgar Snow's values of transcending borders and spreading friendship, telling the story of China and the world in the new era—a story of peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes—while continuously deepening dialogue and exchanges to promote mutual understanding between peoples. Tan Bin, Chief Advisor of the CISM; Li Xiaofeng and Ge Xiaoying, Vice Presidents of the CISM; and Zhang Yu, Convener of the Joint Conference and Director of the Steering Committee of the ICC, attended the symposium. Li Xiaofeng chaired the event.

Red Star Over China in Chinese edition

In the first half of the 20th century, a large number of international friends traveled thousands of miles to China. Though from different countries, they all shared the same fervent passion for the Chinese revolution and sincere love for the Chinese people. They ventured deep into the revolutionary base in Yan'an, playing key roles both on the frontlines and behind the scenes during the war. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people through thick and thin, they forged an enduring and profound friendship. They regarded China as their spiritual homeland and "second home," leaving behind their youth, dedication, and even their lives here. Their glorious deeds became an integral part of the Communist Party of China's century-long history. Edgar Snow, author of the documentary Red Star Over China, was one of these pioneers. Snow crossed the ocean to China at the age of 23. Shanghai marked the beginning of his journey in China and his initial understanding of the country. It was in Shanghai that Snow first came to know the Communist Party of China, later traveling to Yan'an to interview its leaders and actively convey the Party's voice to the world. Through his writings, he shared the true story of China with the global audience, revealing to the world "that there was another China." His efforts had a widespread impact at home and abroad, significantly elevating the international standing of the Communist Party of China. On the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Snow was honored by the Chinese people as one of the "100 Outstanding Heroes and Role Models Who Made Remarkable Contributions to the Founding of New China."

Eric Foster made speech 

The Chief Advisor Tan Bin emphasized in his keynote speech that his mother was profoundly inspired by Edgar Snow's Red Star Over China, braving the opposition of reactionary forces to join the revolutionary base in Yan'an, becoming a proud member of the Chinese revolutionary cause. At the symposium, representatives from various sectors delivered speeches, including: Li Tongyan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eighth Route Army Research Association; Ke Linwei, former Director of the Central Group of Photography Departmentat at Xinhua News Agency; Li Xiaoli, Deputy Party Secretary of Capital Development Group; Qian Pengfei, Director of External Liaison at China Newspaper Association. Eric Foster, a relative of Edgar Snow, attended the symposium and shared insights into Snow's life and contributions. Officials from the central and state organs attended the symposium. Tan Xiaonan and Li Haifeng, Deputy Secretaries-General of the CISM; Zhang Baohe, Vice President of the Huaxia Culture Promotion Association; Cheng Yu, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the ICC; Zhang Bin, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Overseas Chinese Working Committee of the ICC; Jin Haitao, Special Representative of the CISM; Sun Zhiguo, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Sanya Public Diplomacy Institute (SPDI).

Related Link: Edgar Snow Biography：

Mr. Edgar Snow (1905–1972)‌ was an American journalist and renowned writer born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. He studied at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and later pursued a career in journalism. In June 1936, with the assistance of Soong Ching-ling (Madame Sun Yat-sen), Edgar Snow traveled via Xi'an to the Soviet base area in northern Shaanxi,  There, he conducted in-depth conversations with Mao Zedong and other Communist leaders, traveled across the region gathering firsth and accounts of the Long March, and later wrote Red Star Over China (Journey to the West in its Chinese translation), a globally acclaimed masterpiece. Snow was the first Western journalist to report from the Communist-controlled areas. He ardently supported the Chinese people's liberation cause, tirelessly promoting their revolutionary and development efforts worldwide, fostering greater understanding between the Western world and China. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Snow served as a war correspondent for major British and American publications. In 1939, he revisited Yan'an, interviewing Mao Zedong and gaining insights into governance and other developments in the revolutionary base, once again reporting his findings to the world. Spending 13 years in pre-liberation China, Snow made significant contributions to the Chinese revolution and the people. He repeatedly risked his life to rescue Party leaders and revolutionaries while advocating for the Communist Party's anti-Japanese stance. Following the founding of the People's Republic of China, Edgar Snow visited China three times. In October 1970, he and his wife attended China's National Day celebrations, where they met Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai on Tiananmen Gate. Snow passed away in Geneva in February 1972. In accordance with his will, part of his ashes were interred on the campus of Peking University. In a condolence message to Snow’s widow, Mao Zedong wrote: "Mr. Snow was a friend of the Chinese people. He devoted his life to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American peoples, making important contributions. He will forever live in the hearts of the Chinese people."

In September 2021, President Xi Jinping noted in a letter to descendants of international friends that during the first half of the 20th century, figures like Edgar Snow, George Hatem, Norman Bethune, Dwarkanath Kotnis, Rewi Alley, and Israel Epstein traveled to China, standing side by side with the Communist Party and the Chinese people through hardship. China will always remember their invaluable contributions to the nation's revolution, construction, and reform, as well as their profound friendship with the Party and the Chinese people. In January 2022, President Xi Jinping addressed Adam Foster, the Chairman of the Helen Foster Snow Foundation, stating that the Chinese people will never forget the contributions of international friends like the Snows to China's revolution and development, as well as their enduring friendship. President Xi also commended the Foster Snow family for their active role in advancing Sino-American relations over the years. (Source: Xinhua News Agency)