hen Wangdao (1891-1977) was a Chinese scholar, educator and translator. He was the first person to translate The Communist Manifesto into Chinese, completed in April 1920. He was also a founding member of the Shanghai cell of the Chinese Communist Party in 1920.

Chen came into contact with communist ideas when he was studying in Japan. He studied at several Japanese universities from 1915 to 1919 and obtained his bachelor of Laws at Chuo university. Then, he returned to China as the May Fourth Movement began. At that time, China was in deep distress and bitterness both domestically and internationally. Chen held that the only way to save China was to develop and spread Marxism. Unfortunately, this fell afoul of the authority and Chen was obliged to return to his hometown, Yiwu, in 1920.

Thereafter, entrusted by Chen Duxiu, one of the important early founders of the Communist Party of China, he began to translate The Communist Manifesto based on the Japanese and English versions. Chen was a polyglot with a solid foundation in Chinese language, a good mastery of both English and Japanese and a full grasp of the Marxist theories. These traits made him the perfect candidate to undertake the task. After near four months of hard work, he completed the translation in April 1920.

When Chen took up this mission, he was so devoted to translation that he barely had time to eat. His mother was worried and sent him several Zongzi into his room, along with a dish of brown sugar syrup. Moments later, Chen’s mom asked him if the sugar was enough. He answered that it was already sweet enough. Later, his mom walked into the room to clean up. She then burst into laughter for her son’s lip was covered with ink. It turned out that Chen unwittingly mistook ink for the syrup used as a dip for Zongzi. With a mouthful of ink, Chen realized the slip but quipped, “It is exactly what truth tastes like, sweeter than brown sugar.” Now, the most popular souvenir among tourists in Yiwu is Wangdao Zongzi with brown sugar made in his village, as many people want to taste ‘the sweetness of truth’.

After Chen finished the translation, he brought the work to Chen Duxiu in Shanghai. They tried to publish the Chinese translation of the book but failed due to political tensions. Then, they secretly managed to print the manifesto by themselves. However, due to the tense situation and hasty editing, the printing press made a mistake on the cover. The correct translation of the manifesto should be Gong Chan Dang Xuan Yan. But the manifesto was misprinted as Gong Dang Chan Xuan Yan. Unfortunately, without enough funding, the misprint had to go on the market. To their great surprise, the misprint quickly sold out. Chen Duxiu and Chen Wangdao hurriedly printed another 1000 copies with the correct translation. Gradually, Marxism was spread across China.

Chen’s translation was the first book on Marxism published in Chinese. His translation educated and inspired tens of thousands of revolutionaries to approach into Marxism. Later in July 1936, Mao Zedong recalled his process of ideological growth, saying that Chen’s Chinese edition of The Communist Manifesto intensified his faith in Marxism.

In 1920s, the communist campaigns of Chen Wangdao and many of his comrades, were under severe conditions, without enough personnel and funding. Now, the Chinese Communist Party has grown into the largest Communist Party in the world with more than ninety million members. It is the dedication and love for the country from numerous people like Chen Wangdao that gives a sweet taste of truth to the current young generation and inspires them to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.