Chen Xingju Memorial Hall

Chen Xingju Memorial Hall stands in Tai Chen Village, Tai Chen Town, Linying County, the hometown of Chen Xingju.

The Tomb Complex of Chen Xingju, located in Tai Chen Village, Tai Chen Town of Linying County, was completed in 1889. After his passing, the Qing imperial court posthumously conferred upon him the rank of Third-Class Circuit Intendant and granted him a state-funded burial in accordance with official rituals, which took four years to finish constructing. In front of the tomb rise ornamental stone pillars and stone steles. Lining both sides of the tomb passage are stone statues in varied poses: civil and military officials, stone lions, horses, sheep, monkeys and more. The entire cemetery is shaded by ancient cypresses, exuding solemnity and reverence.

In November 2004, the People’s Government of Linying County designated Chen Xingju’s Tomb as a County-Level Protected Cultural Relic. In March 2008, Xu Guangchun, then Secretary of the Henan Provincial Party Committee, issued an instruction: transform Chen Xingju’s tomb complex into a patriotic education base, a platform for promoting national reunification, a carrier for spreading Central Plains culture, and a scenic spot driving tourism growth. In June 2008, the tomb was elevated to a Provincial-Level Protected Cultural Relic by the People’s Government of Henan Province, and construction of Chen Xingju Memorial Hall broke ground simultaneously.

Covering a planned area of 17,360 square meters, the memorial hall stretches 248 meters from north to south and 70 meters from east to west. Supporting facilities built on the site include an ancestral hall for sacrificial rites, a stone memorial archway, a main gate, side gates, an exhibition gallery of his life, stone bridges, a parking lot and enclosing walls. The first-phase project required a total investment of 15 million RMB, took nine months to complete, and was finished in March 2009. The original stone statues were restored, while the stone archway, decorated stone bridge, side gates and main entrance underwent expansion and renovation.

At 10:30 on March 31, 2009, Chen Xingju Memorial Hall officially opened to the public in Tai Chen Village, Tai Chen Town, Linying County. The calligraphy of the hall’s name was inscribed by former Provincial Party Secretary Xu Guangchun. James Soong, Chairman of the People First Party, and his wife Chen Wanshui attended the opening ceremony, accompanied by Wang Fuqing, Vice Chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, Wang Quanshu, Chairman of the Henan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and other leaders. From April 19 to 20, Jia Qinglin, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, inspected Luohe City and paid a visit to Chen Xingju Memorial Hall during his stay.

The memorial hall systematically compiles historical materials recording Chen Xingju’s life and displays a collection of relevant cultural relics for posterity to pay homage, conduct research and receive education. It carries forward the lofty aspirations of this virtuous predecessor, inspires patriotic sentiment and upholds national unity.

Chen Xingju, courtesy name Yaotang, was born in Tai Chen, Linying, Henan Province. He passed the Provincial Examination in the 29th year of the Daoguang reign (1849). He successively served as Magistrate of Shunchang, Jian’an, Minxian, Xianyou and Gutian counties in Fujian Province. In the 10th year of the Tongzhi reign (1871), he was promoted to Subprefect of Tamsui in Taiwan, and transferred to Lukang Subprefect five years later. In the 4th year of the Guangxu reign (1878), Chen Xingju took office as Prefect of Taipei. He died in service in the 11th year of the Guangxu reign (1885). The Qing court posthumously awarded him the civil rank of Third-Class Gentleman for Deliberation and gave him an elaborate burial at the ancestral Chen cemetery in his hometown Tai Chen.

Throughout his life, Chen Xingju dedicated himself to enriching the nation and strengthening the country. Historical records describe him as "resolute, calm, public-spirited and righteous". During his tenure across various counties in Fujian, he suppressed bandit uprisings and founded modern schools. "Employing both leniency and severity, balancing grace and authority, he united officials and common people as one community, promoted beneficial policies and eliminated abuses, accumulating numerous outstanding administrative achievements", winning deep love and support from local residents.

When the Sino-French War broke out, Chen Xingju raised funds, purchased ammunition and weapons, recruited young able-bodied men to expand the army, vowing to defend his homeland with his life. In October of the 10th year of the Guangxu reign (1884), French troops launched an assault on Taipei. Already 68 years old, Chen Xingju disregarded his personal safety and rushed to the frontlines to supervise the battle. Under his leadership, soldiers and civilians of Taipei shared a common hatred for the invaders, stood united as an impregnable fortress, and repelled repeated French offensives, securing victory in the Battle to Defend Taipei.

Worn out by prolonged toil, Chen Xingju passed away in 1885 at the age of 69. His remains were transported by sea to the Grand Canal, then overland, before being laid to rest in his hometown.