Conflicts And Contradications In Commemoration

As a result for European & American labour movements, the May Day was brought in China during the transition of 19th century and 20th century. Although commonly regarded as an exotic thing, the May Day, which is an integral part in the history of modern Chinese labor movements, had a positive influence and meaning in China. The previous researches on modern Chinese labour issues, however, focus on the hardship and revolts of working class under the conditions of revolutionary history and Party history, including the issues about labor relations and labor organizations. But in all, the research on the May Day is still a blank.It is widely believed by academic circles of history of China that the largest scaled May Day commemoration happened in 1920 in which memorizing activities in different scales surged in China's major cites like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. This big movement had a profound influence. After that, the May Day was recognized by Chinese people, especially by the working class. The commemorative events would be held each year. There are two reasons for the popularity of Labour Day. On one hand, some parties, societies and famous leaders, especially the early CPC members, greatly promoted it; on the other hand, the modern Chinese working class's growing in strength and political consciousness, and the influences from the abroad contributed to the spread of May Day spirit. But many political groups, especially some political parties, got evolved in the May Day commemoration, then it gradually became a vent of various forces for interests and it transferred to politics apparently. With the banner of ensuring the workers' well-being, many stakeholders tried to have the workers in their political ambition and serving their purposes and interests. During this game, the Communist Party of China and Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) were two major forces doubtlessly.After the foundation of the Nanking National Government, the social economic and political constructions had been put on the agenda of country administration. So the once flourishing labour movements were limited as the public events approved by Chinese Nationalist Party and the Central government and served for the bureaucratic class. Under this circumstance, the May Day commemoration was negatively influenced and some different phenomena raised. And the Kuomintang-controlled May Day had been a tool for its economic and political promotion, especially for the purpose of Kuomintang ruling. To reign the country well, they needed to control over the promotion organ. So taking the obedience to Sun Yat-Sen was the only solution to it.In fact, Kuomintang leaders believed that power of discourse for May Day Commemoration was an important political tactic to express their interest appeals. These appeals were from the government, political parties, society and the working class. As for the political parties, power of discourse for May Day Commemoration could help to rebuild the authority of Kuomintang and to consolidate their rule; as for the government, it could help them to ensure the country ruling in a whole, to have a stable society, and to develop the economy smoothly. And for the working class, it might improve their conditions, which was of the greatest importance. Therefore, the May Day commemoration was regarded as a channel of interest appeal expression. This made the May Day commemoration more complex. And the conflicts were inevitable.However, Kuomintang also faced the contradictions and dilemmas when expressing their interest appeals through the May Day memorization. Kuomintang had a stronger influence on May Day, but the voice from the CPC also could be heard. To keep a lookout on the CPC, Kuomintang had to control over the commemoration, but this put Kuomintang at a disadvantage among workers. The Theory of Harmony between Labour and Management did positively to the national constructions while it functioned as a defense to Class Conflict Theory from the CPC. And the appeal for "a party over class" was not realized and got in a positive position because of their wrong expressions and the loss of function. More importantly, Kuomintang gradually deviated from the working class. This resulted form the foreign factors and the contradictions in the party itself. The disharmony, or even conflicts, in Kuomintang harmed its authority and resulted in the workers'deviation. The so called "no access to the public" policy on labour movement was a defect in country running ideas.To sum up, during the reign of Nanking National Government (1927-1937), the May Day commemoration was under the control of Kuomintang and its government, functioned as a tool for their interest and country running idea. This reflects the contradictions and dilemmas faced by the Kuomintang government or the deviations between appeal and running.