Young Pioneers of China YPOC The Young

Young Pioneers of China (YPOC)

The Young Pioneers of China is a mass youth organization for children aged six to fourteen in the People's Republic of China. The Young Pioneers of China is run by the Communist Youth League, an organization of older youth that comes under the Communist Party of China. The Young Pioneers of China is similar to Pioneer Movements that exist or existed in many Communist countries around the world.

The Youth and Children of China Movement was created on October 13, 1949 by the Communist Party of China, and given its present name in June 1953.

YOUNG PIONEERS CONSIST OF CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND FOURTEEN; UPON REACHING THE AGE OF FOURTEEN, MEMBERS AUTOMATICALLY EXIT THE YOUNG PIONEERS AND MAY GO ON TO JOIN THE COMMUNIST YOUTH LEAGUE. MOST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE YOUNG PIONEERS BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATE FROM GRADE SCHOOL. MOST OF THE SCHOOLS REQUIRE STUDENTS OF THE RIGHT AGE TO BECOME YOUNG PIONEERS. THERE WERE AN ESTIMATED 130 MILLION YOUNG PIONEERS IN CHINA, AS OF 2002.

According to the Young Pioneers constitution, each school or village organizes a Pioneer battalion each with a handful of members. Each team has a leader and an assistant leader; each of the school Companies is led by a committee of between three to seven members; and a committee of between seven and fifteen members serve as the battalion leadership staff. Adult leaders are chosen from either the Communist Youth League or from local teaching staff.

Flag According to the Young Pioneers Constitution, the flag is red, symbolizing the victory of the Revolution; the five-pointed star in the middle symbolizes the leadership of the Communist Party, while the torch symbolizes brightness down the path of communism. The Pioneer Battalion flag is 90 x 120 cm, while the flag of each Company is 60 x 80 cm, with an isosceles triangle (60 x 20 cm) removed from the right side. The removed triangle corresponds to the red scarf worn by Young Pioneers.

• • Scarf The red scarf is the only uniform item. Young Pioneers are often referred to simply as "Red Scarves"; the investiture ceremony often consists of new members having their scarves tied for them by existing members. Children wearing red scarves are a ubiquitous sight in China. The red scarf is generally worn around the neck and tied, with no woggle. Some local groups also come up with other uniform items. The Young Pioneers Constitution explains that the scarf corresponds to the missing triangle on the medium detachment flag. The Constitution also explains that the red of the scarf comes from the blood sacrificed by martyrs of the Revolution, and that all members should therefore wear the scarf with reverence.

The Young Pioneers Salute consists of bending the right arm and raising the right hand directly above the head, the palm flat and facing downwards, and the fingers together. It symbolizes that the interests of the People supersede all. The Slogan is: "Be prepared, to struggle for the cause of Communism!" To which the reply is: Translation: "Always be prepared!"

The stipulated conduct of Young Pioneers, according to the constitution, is: Honesty, Courage, Vivacity, Unity The Young Pioneers pledge is: I am a member of the Young Pioneers of China. Under the Flag of the Young Pioneers I promise that: I will love the Communist Party of China, the motherland, and the people; I will study well and keep myself fit always [lit. exercise well], and to prepare for my contributing effort to the cause of communism.

Youth is Forever! Invincible Youth! Thanks for your attention!