Monument to Hero in Taizhou, Zhejiang Suspected of Vandalism, Local Authorities Issue Report

On May 26, in response to media reports about “vandalism of the monument honoring hero Cao Jinku,” the Veterans Affairs Bureau of Xianju County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, issued a statement. The details are as follows:

After investigation, the Cao Jinku memorial monument was erected in 1999 at the Xianju Martyrs’ Cemetery, managed by the Xianju County Veterans Affairs Bureau. The report indicates that the stone monument was independently installed by the Shuangshan Township Government (According to the “Regulations on the Protection and Management of Martyrs’ Memorial Facilities,” such facilities must be established by county-level or higher governments). Due to the monument and its access road being located in a geologically hazardous area, the township government decided to remove it for safety reasons after consulting with the village committee, closing the road and placing warning signs.

Moving forward, the Xianju County Veterans Affairs Bureau will improve communication with relevant individuals and villagers while strengthening standardized management of all martyrs’ memorial facilities in the county.

Earlier Report:

According to a March report, villagers from Shadi Village, Shuangshan Township, Xianju County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang, reported that the road leading to the Cao Jinku monument had been blocked due to private construction. Despite repeated complaints to authorities, no action was taken.

An earlier investigation in Xianju County revealed that Cao Zhenfu, grandson of hero Cao Jinku, explained: “My grandfather sacrificed his life during the Land Revolution War in 1935 and was recognized as a revolutionary martyr by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in 1988. He is well-known in Xianju.”

In a park in Hengxi Town, historical records about Cao Jinku were displayed: On September 8, 1930, the CPC Xianju County Committee was established in Xikou Village (now Caohe Village), with Cao Jinku as one of its leaders. His home served as a base for the committee.

After Cao Jinku’s death, he was buried in his hometown, with many paying respects during Qingming Festival. Around 2015, authorities built a memorial stone at the foot of Qingshan Mountain in Shadi Village (Figure 1) for public commemoration. However, the access road was later blocked by private construction.

Figure 1

“Originally, the monument was 200-300 meters from the main road, but now the path is blocked, forcing a long detour.” On May 15, the site visit revealed the cement road had been severed, with no visible remnants. After a 1-kilometer detour, the monument’s location was found empty (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Cao Zhenfu stated the memorial stone was still present before this year’s Qingming Festival. Pointing to a stone base, he said, “The monument stood here, inscribed ‘Cao Jinku Martyrs’ Memorial.’ We don’t know where or when it was moved.” He expressed frustration.

Villagers in Shadi Village reported, “A few people came and took the monument away the day before Qingming Festival.”

During the visit, villagers voiced anger over inadequate protection of the monument, urging authorities to restore the memorial and hold vandals accountable.