Evolution of Administrative Organizations

In the distant past, as human societies began to prosper, three tribal systems called Sushen, Huimo and Donghu evolved. Under Shun and Yu's reigns, the ancient nationalities in Jilin province began to establish tribute-based relations with the ruling dynasties of the Central Plains, and gradually became an important part of the Chinese nation.

Since the pre-Qin (c.2100-221 BC) period, Jilin has been under the administration of the central authorities of all dynasties. The region's administrative division was first seen during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), when prefectures and counties were set up. Then, in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it was subject to the ancient Bohai Kingdom (698-926). During the following Liao (916-1125), Jin (1115-1234) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties, the administrative division was similar to today's provinces, cities and counties. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) then established Dusi, the highest military leadership at the provincial level, and Weisuo, a military establishment.

In 1653 (the 10th year of the reign of Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty), the Qing government sent officials to govern Ningguta, the ancient land of exile in northeastern China. It marked the first official administrative organization in Jilin.

In 1673 (the 12th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty), Jilin city was built around a local shipyard (today's Jilin city). It was known as Jilin Wula (meaning "along the river" in the Manchu language), hence the name of the province. In 1907 (the 33rd year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu of Qing Dynasty), Jilin province was officially established.

Jilin now has jurisdiction over one sub-provincial city, seven prefecture-level cities, one autonomous prefecture, 60 counties (cities, districts) and the Changbai Mountain Protection Development Management Committee. Its capital city is Changchun.

Jilin's Liberation

At the beginning of the 20th century, Northeast China became a competitive place for colonial expansion by Russian and Japanese invaders. On September 18, 1931, the Japanese Imperial Army blew up a section of railway near the city of Shenyang, Liaoning province. The incident triggered a large-scale Japanese invasion of China that would last 14 years.

After Jilin was colonized by Japanese imperialists, the Northeast Democratic Allied Army (later called the Northeast People's Liberation Army), under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, waged battles that astounded both China and foreign countries, including the four battles for Siping city, the four defenses of Linjiang city and the three fights in the South of Songhua River, which were the keys to shifting the balance of power in Northeast China. The Liaoshen Campaign started in 1948. The Northeast PLA laid siege to Changchun and forced Kuomintang's troops in the city to lay down their arms and surrender. The entire province of Jilin was thus liberated.

Glorious Revolutionary Tradition

Jilin people now inherit the glorious revolutionary traditions of the anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggles. Facing the barbarian invasions of Russian and Japanese colonialists and imperialists, they persisted in resistance and fully demonstrated the unyielding and positive fighting spirit of the Chinese nation.

In particular, Jilin people rose to fight hard against their enemies during the battle against Japanese imperialist aggression. From anti-Japanese volunteers like Wang Delin, Tang Juwu and Wang Fengge in the early stages of the occupation, to the soldiers of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army such as Yang Jingyu, Wei Zhengmin and Wang Detai who fought bloody battles, the people of Jilin have written a chapter in the history of patriotism with their blood and lives.