Abstract
[Purpose/Significance] As the core carrier of Red Culture, Red Archives not only engrave the regional collective Red memory but also carry the contemporary mission of continuing the Red gene and inheriting the Red lineage. At the critical juncture of planning the "15th Five-Year Plan," conducting research on the Red Archives in Nyingchi City aims to activate the cultural efficacy of local Red Archives and facilitate the inheritance and development of Red Culture in the new era. [Method/Process] Based on field investigations and a systematic review of Red resources in Nyingchi City, the Red Research Group conducted a comprehensive survey of the overall status of these resources. The study focused on the unique value and current deficiencies of local Red Archives, acquiring first-hand data through field surveys and literature analysis to establish a solid foundation for subsequent research. [Result/Conclusion] Through systematic demonstration, targeted solution paths are proposed from four dimensions: systems, security, protection, and utilization. This provides practical schemes for resolving existing problems in Nyingchi's Red Archives, as well as academic support and practical references for the strategic layout of building Nyingchi into a "Red Border City."
Full Text
Preamble
Empowering High-Quality Development and Innovation Paths in Tibet through Red Archives: A Case Study Based on Red Resources in Nyingchi City
1. Introduction
Red archives represent the authentic records of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) century-long struggle, embodying the "Red Gene" and the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists. In the new era, effectively utilizing these resources is crucial for strengthening cultural confidence and promoting regional development. For the Tibet Autonomous Region, red archives are not only historical witnesses to the peaceful liberation, democratic reform, and socialist construction of the plateau but also vital spiritual assets for promoting high-quality development. Nyingchi City, often referred to as the "Jiangnan of Tibet," possesses unique red resources that offer significant potential for cultural and economic integration. This study explores how these archives can be leveraged to foster innovation and sustainable growth in the region.
2. The Value of Red Archives in the Context of Tibet's Development
Red archives in Tibet serve as a bridge between the past and the future. They provide a factual basis for documenting the profound changes in the lives of the Tibetan people under the leadership of the CPC.
2.1 Political and Educational Value
Red archives are primary materials for ideological and political education. By documenting the heroic deeds of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the early builders of Tibet, these archives help cultivate a sense of national identity and community among the diverse ethnic groups in the region. They serve as a powerful tool against historical nihilism and play a critical role in maintaining social stability and national unity.
2.2 Cultural and Economic Value
Beyond their political significance, red archives are foundational to the development of "Red Tourism." In Nyingchi, the integration of natural beauty with revolutionary history creates a unique tourism product. This synergy not only preserves history but also generates economic benefits for local communities, contributing to rural revitalization and the high-quality development of the service industry.
3. Current Status of Red Resources in Nyingchi City
Based on our field research in Nyingchi, the city has made significant strides in the protection and utilization of red resources. Sites such as the "General's Building" (Jiangjun Lou) and various memorial halls dedicated to the 18th Army provide a physical foundation for archival work.
[FIGURE:1]
However, several challenges remain. First, the digitalization of physical archives is still in its early stages, limiting the accessibility of
摘要
As a core vehicle of Red Culture, Red Archives not only record the collective memory of regional revolutionary history but also carry the contemporary mission of continuing the "Red Gene" and inheriting the revolutionary lineage. Serving as a critical node in the strategic layout of cultural preservation, research into the Red Archives of Nyingchi City aims to activate the cultural efficacy of local archival resources, thereby facilitating the inheritance and development of Red Culture in the new era.
方法
Research on the Red Resources and Archival Value of Nyingchi City
Based on extensive field investigations and a systematic review of the "Red resources" (revolutionary heritage) in Nyingchi City, the Red Research Group has conducted a comprehensive survey of the region's overall revolutionary legacy. This study focuses specifically on the unique value and current limitations of local Red archives. By employing methodologies such as field research and literature analysis, the group has acquired first-hand data, establishing a solid foundation for subsequent academic research.
结论
Through systematic demonstration, this study proposes targeted solution paths across four dimensions to address the existing challenges facing Nyingchi's red archives. By providing these practical solutions, the research offers both academic support and practical references for the strategic development of Nyingchi as a "Red Border City."
Introduction
The National Development Plan for Archival Undertakings marks a critical juncture in strategic planning, where the value, connotation, and practical research significance of "Red Archives" (revolutionary historical records) have become exceptionally profound. Since the 18th National Congress, in order to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s directives to "make good use of Red resources, carry forward Red traditions, and pass on the Red gene," revolutionary base areas such as Shanghai have leveraged their local resource advantages to advance construction practices. Similarly, the Tibet Autonomous Region has meticulously developed several Red landmarks, including the "First Village of Tibet’s Liberation" (Gama Village), the "First Village of Tibet’s Democratic Reform" (Kesong Village), the Advance Detachment site in Ngari, and the Bomi Red Building in Nyingchi. The remarkable success in developing these sites is inextricably linked to the support provided by the original historical materials found within Red archival documents.
It has been explicitly stated that the educational value of documentary archives, Red correspondence, and revolutionary poetry must be fully utilized. Guided by the spirit of important instructions and the requirements for Party history education, the service transformation of Red archival resources will continue to inject strong momentum into contemporary high-quality development.
Research in this field is showing a rapid upward trend. Experts and scholars have conducted in-depth discussions from multiple dimensions—including the "Regulations on Party History Education," the new media environment, the development and utilization of revolutionary regions, higher education institutions, and the integration of culture and tourism—thereby expanding the breadth and depth of the field. Research on Red archives across all sectors will increasingly align with the new situation and the emerging demands for governance consultation and personnel cultivation.
This study provides a practical reference for the development planning and overall construction of archival undertakings, aiming to strengthen the empowering role of Red culture in national development. Centered on our field research of Red resources in Nyingchi City, this paper comprehensively summarizes existing successful experiences, carefully identifies and analyzes current problems, and explores paths for transcendence and innovation.
Overview of Red Archival Resources in Nyingchi
Red archives refer to a collection of documents—including books, manuscripts, and letters—as well as diverse types such as political programs, documents, newspapers, and periodicals. These constitute a panoramic record of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) journey of struggle since its founding. They also encompass non-material carriers such as songs, oral histories, revolutionary poetry, historical memories, and other forms of cultural heritage. Following the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951 and the subsequent march into Tibet under the Party's leadership, Nyingchi emerged as a vital region on the southwest frontier. Located at the forefront of Southeast Tibet's border defense, its unique geographical position made it a strategic supply hub and a military rear base for the peaceful liberation of Tibet.
The geopolitical value of these resources is manifest in their role in maintaining national security and promoting frontier development. Consequently, the development and utilization of Red archival resources carry irreplaceable national strategic significance. These archives preserve the historical memory of the CPC leading the Tibetan people through the peaceful liberation and the great Democratic Reform. They serve as a vivid medium for recording the spirit of the frontier military and civilians, a witness to the consolidation of national sovereignty and the stability of frontier development, and essential historical evidence of Marxism adapted to the Chinese context. Red archival resources in Nyingchi refer to historical records—including text and other media—that possess preservation value and reflect the Red spirit. These were formed by the CPC and its affiliated units, organizations, or individuals during the construction of the Nyingchi region and are scattered across archives, libraries, and Party history offices at various levels in the seven counties and districts: Bayi, Mainling, Gongbo'gyamda, Bomi, Medog, Zayu, and Nang. This specialized research on Red resources in Nyingchi involved in-depth visits to Red sites, revolutionary relics, cemeteries, and exhibition halls, as well as municipal and county-level archival bureaus, libraries, cultural relic bureaus, and specialized Red resource task forces. The focus was on Red physical archives registered around 1951, including [TABLE:1] Red exhibitions and memorial halls, [TABLE:2] revolutionary sites and relics, and [TABLE:3] martyrs' cemeteries and scattered burial points. The specific distribution of these Red archival locations is detailed in Table 1.
4 波密县
Red Tourism and Historical Sites in Bomi County
Bomi County preserves a significant collection of historical sites that document the revolutionary history and socialist construction of the region. These sites serve as critical landmarks for understanding the integration of Tibet into the modern Chinese state and the preservation of "Red Culture."
The Red Building of the Zhamu Central County Party Committee
The Red Building of the Zhamu Central County Party Committee stands as a primary symbol of administrative and political development in Bomi. This historic structure served as the nerve center for local governance and party leadership during a pivotal era of regional transformation. Today, it functions as a repository of institutional memory, reflecting the architectural style and political climate of the mid-20th century.
The Oral History Red Museum
The Oral History Red Museum provides a specialized venue for the preservation of intangible heritage. Unlike traditional artifact-based exhibits, this museum focuses on the collection and dissemination of first-hand accounts, personal narratives, and testimonies from veterans, workers, and local residents who witnessed the historical shifts in Bomi. It plays a vital role in humanizing the historical record through the lived experiences of the local population.
The Yigong Tea Farm Red Architectural Complex
The architectural complex at the Yigong Tea Farm represents the intersection of industrial development and revolutionary spirit. Established during a period of intense land reclamation and agricultural modernization, the tea farm's historic buildings remain as a testament to the "Old Tibet" spirit of self-reliance and hard work. This site highlights the economic history of the region and the role of state-led enterprises in stabilizing the local economy.
The Site of the School of Tibetan Studies and the Songzong Infantry School
Bomi County also hosts significant military and educational ruins, including the former site of the School of Tibetan Studies and the Songzong Infantry School (Songzong Buxiao). These ruins mark the early efforts to establish formal military training and specialized education in the region. They provide physical evidence of the strategic importance of Bomi in regional defense and the training of cadres and soldiers for the unique high-altitude environment.
The Bomi Martyrs' Cemetery
The Bomi Martyrs' Cemetery serves as the solemn final resting place for those who sacrificed their lives during the liberation of Tibet and subsequent construction periods. As a site of national remembrance, it is central to the "Red Tourism" circuit, offering a space for public commemoration and the study of the revolutionary sacrifices made to establish the current administrative and social order in
5 墨脱县
Red Education and Military-Civilian Integration Sites in Medog County
Patriotism and Border Consolidation Education Bases
Medog County features several significant sites dedicated to "Red Education" and the promotion of national defense. These include the Military-Civilian Integration Village History Museum and the Martyrs' Cemetery in Beibeng Township, which serve as vital centers for preserving local history and honoring revolutionary legacies.
Historical Military Sites and Command Posts
The region preserves critical historical landmarks related to border defense and past conflicts. Key sites include the Former Site of the Regiment Military Camp and the Former Command Post of the Walong Battle. Additionally, the Nangtaguiba Red Education Base provides historical context for the region's strategic importance and the sacrifices made during military operations.
Local Heritage and Red Family Exhibits
Community-level history is highlighted through various village museums and "Red Family" cultural exhibits. Notable locations include the Xionjiu Village West Tuolaka Village History Museum, as well as the Kasa Jiangcuo Red Family and Songlin Village Red Family cultural displays. these sites document the personal stories and collective contributions of local residents to the revolutionary cause.
Commemorative Parks
The Hero Slope Memorial Park (Yingxiongpo) stands as a prominent landmark dedicated to the memory of those who served and sacrificed in the region, serving as a focal point for commemorative activities and patriotic education.
7 朗县
Chongkang Manor Patriotism Education Exhibition, the former site of the Xirika Headquarters, the Jindong Township National Lecture Hall, the Lang County Martyrs' Cemetery Oral History Red Hall, and the Monumental Archive Collection.
[FIGURE:Xizang history pavilion-Monumental archive collection]
The former site of the Linzhi Station in Gongbu Jiangda County, featuring physical equipment left behind at the station.
[FIGURE:Physical equipment behind former Linzhi station station China Media Group]
3 林芝市红色档案的多重面向
As a strategic logistics and armament support base for the revolution in Tibet, Nyingchi—under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the People's Liberation Army—witnessed the establishment of Tibet's first modern textile mill (the Nyingchi Woolen Mill) and its first military reclamation tea plantation (the Yigong Tea Farm). The "Red Archives" generated during these industrial and agricultural developments serve as original records of the activities of the CPC, its affiliated organizations, and individuals during the periods of the Tibetan Revolution and socialist construction. These archives are not only the core historical materials for studying the Party's history in Nyingchi but also the physical carriers for inheriting "Red Genes." Amidst the wave of digitalization, their value has extended to reconstructing the historical context of the peaceful liberation of Tibet and fostering a sense of community for the Chinese nation. As evidence, these archives utilize historical empirical data to refute nihilism and solidify the foundations of political identity. The evidentiary value of these archives stems from their inherent formation patterns and original attributes; they intuitively record the historical development process, major decision-making, and combat experiences of the CPC in Nyingchi, restoring the true face of history through their objectivity and authority.
The Red Research Team conducted in-depth investigations into the Party History Offices and Veterans Affairs Bureaus at both the municipal and county levels. They collected millions of words of precious documents and Red Archives covering key historical periods, including the peaceful liberation of Nyingchi and its subsequent socialist construction. These materials provide a multi-angled demonstration of Nyingchi's revolutionary historical trajectory and offer empirical evidence to refute historical nihilism, further strengthening public recognition of the authenticity and objectivity of Nyingchi's Red history.
Decision-making documents regarding the 14th Army’s construction of Tibet, records from campaign headquarters, and details on factory construction—preserved as original archival documents, historical photographs, original video footage, and heritage sites—attest to the hardships and triumphs of the great democratic reforms led by the CPC among the various ethnic groups in Tibet. These records reveal the historical inevitability of the Tibetan people moving toward unity through social practices that continuously strengthen the sense of community for the Chinese nation. The sites of the Nyingchi Woolen Mill and the Tibet Match Factory in Bayi District bear witness to the rise of Nyingchi’s light industry from nothing. The archives concerning the "Trial Primary School in Batuka Village, Qingduozong" in Bomi (see [FIGURE:1]) mark the transition of Nyingchi’s education onto a modern track. Furthermore, detailed combat maps and records in the Zayü Walong Campaign Exhibition Hall document the operational deployments and troop allocations during the Sino-Indian Border Self-Defense Counterattack. These serve as core evidence for refuting the "illegal McMahon Line" and defending national territorial sovereignty. In the history of road construction, the spirit of "opening roads through mountains and bridging rivers," alongside the construction of Damshung Airport, laid the foundation for modern transportation in Nyingchi.
The Red Archives of Nyingchi City utilize the authenticity of original historical materials as a medium. In the process of restoring historical truth, inheriting Red Genes, and triggering emotional resonance, they establish a solid line of defense to counter historical nihilism, defend national sovereignty, shatter "Tibetan Independence" conspiracies, maintain national unity, and promote ethnic solidarity.
[FIGURE:1] Scanned archives of the trial primary school in Batuka Village, Qingduozong.
3.2 面向文化:激活红色基因传承,夯实文化自信根基
The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China points out that we must take socialist core values as our guide, develop advanced socialist culture, promote revolutionary culture, and inherit fine traditional Chinese culture to continuously enhance the country's cultural soft power and the global influence of Chinese civilization. As the most original and objective historical witnesses among "red resources," revolutionary archives serve as reliable carriers for interpreting the inherent spiritual power of the "red gene." The revolutionary archives of Nyingchi City function as a vital record of the revolutionary history of Tibet. By documenting historical events such as the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet and the Sino-Indian Border Self-Defense War, as well as the life stories of heroic figures, these archives provide a window for the public to approach and understand revolutionary history.
In Bayi District, the District Committee has conducted in-depth excavations of the revolutionary resources at the sites visited by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his inspection and research tour in Nyingchi. This effort has created a series of interconnected sites, each with its own unique characteristics. The collection includes historical materials from the first group of the 18th Army to enter Tibet, lyrics written by Yang Xinghuo, and artifacts belonging to the martyr Li Bin—a loyal guardian who dedicated his life to the "green cause" of forestry. These items, along with old photographs from the periods of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet and the Democratic Reform, have become the core content for inheriting revolutionary culture in Bayi District.
Similarly, there are abundant carriers for the inheritance of revolutionary culture. Through the exhibition of physical objects, the original mission of the Chinese Communists is tangibly manifested through archival artifacts. Examples include the heroic forest fire-fighting squad of Mai Village in Mainling, whose ancestors sacrificed their lives for the nation and the people, demonstrating the dauntless revolutionary heroism of self-sacrifice. The Oral History Red Hall, featuring over 100 old photographs of the 18th Army and more than 100 physical artifacts, constructs a historical narrative space. Furthermore, historical materials regarding military-civilian cooperation in Education Square rely on artistic carriers to ensure spiritual continuity. For instance, the "Song of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway," born during the revolutionary era, utilizes folk art forms to record the Tibetan people's sentiments toward their great leaders.
The passionate praise for Chairman Mao and the sincere affection for the People's Liberation Army have formed a multi-dimensional cultural landscape. Through the dual effects of historical memory and emotional resonance, this not only promotes the transmission of the "red gene" from generation to generation through cultural decoding but also continuously strengthens the foundation of cultural confidence.
Figure Military civilian joint border patrol Motuo county
3.3 面向教育:建构群体认同纽带,凝聚民族精神力量
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that revolutionary museums, memorial halls, Party history halls, and martyr cemeteries constitute the "red gene bank" of the Party and the state. It is essential to effectively tell the stories of the Party, the revolution, the revolutionary base areas, and the stories of heroes and martyrs. By strengthening education in revolutionary traditions, patriotism, and the ideological and moral development of young people, we can build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation. On this new journey, it is even more critical to reinforce the integration and mutual learning of the Chinese nation; the concepts of "appreciating one's own beauty," "appreciating the beauty of others," and "sharing beauty together" are precisely the crystallization of wisdom and the expression of experience precipitated through long-term coexistence.
Group identity is the process by which individuals categorize themselves into a specific social group based on evaluation, and the construction of group identity relies primarily on the collective memory of that group. The "red archives" of Nyingchi systematically record the historical journey of the Party uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups in Tibet to strive for a better life. This shared experience of following the Party's lead, forging ahead through hardships, and walking together constitutes the collective memory of both the Tibetan and Han people. Patriotism education bases and martyr cemeteries at all levels in Nyingchi serve as vital carriers of this collective memory. By integrating education on the consciousness of the Chinese nation community into the training of cadres and the education of youth—ensuring that no ethnic group is left behind—we can deeply root the foundations of identity in a sense of fulfillment and ensure the maintenance and intergenerational transmission of collective memory.
From the border defense stories found in oral histories to the border protection archives of the Jiefang Bridge in Medog County, and from the generational perseverance showcased in the Red Family Culture Heritage Hall in Songlin Village, Zayu County, to the cultural roots protected by the community in education bases, the red archives of Nyingchi possess unique educational characteristics. These resources allow different groups to coalesce the spiritual strength of national unity through shared memories. This process deepens the recognition of the spiritual lineage of the Chinese nation and strengthens the profound sense of belonging among the people of all ethnic groups in Tibet, highlighting the significance of developing and utilizing the red archival resources of Nyingchi City.
Analysis
Current Status of the Development and Utilization of Archival Resources
The archival work plans for Nyingchi explicitly propose strengthening the protection, development, sharing, and utilization of "red" (revolutionary) archival resources. The goal is to construct a systematic and complete system for inheriting red culture and to advance red archival work in depth. This involves not only achieving full coverage of digital archival protection but also promoting the deep integration of red resources with cultural tourism and educational dissemination, ensuring that red genes radiate contemporary vitality through innovative expression.
However, recent field research reveals that the development of red archival resources in Nyingchi is currently encountering multiple practical bottlenecks. These include the continuous erosion of the natural environment, relatively lagging technical methods, and the fact that development formats remain confined to static exhibitions. It is essential to confront these issues comprehensively and objectively, using systemic thinking to overcome these challenges one by one.
Institutional Absence: The Dilemma of Governance
Institutional support is the core guarantee for the integration and collaborative development of red archival resources. Nyingchi’s administrative divisions have undergone numerous changes—from the Takong General Jurisdiction after the peaceful liberation of Tibet, to the establishment and abolition of the Nyingchi Prefecture in 1960, and finally to the official establishment of Nyingchi City in 2015. These shifts have led to a fragmented distribution of red archival resources. For instance, red historical materials from certain counties and districts were transferred to various levels of archives in Lhasa and other regions following changes in jurisdictional affiliation. This has resulted in fragmented information regarding red resources, a fractured historical narrative, and a dearth of systematically accessible historical materials. These issues pose significant challenges to archival work and create difficulties for the subsequent retrieval and utilization of red archival resources.
The absence of institutional frameworks has also led to a lack of coordination mechanisms among development entities. Currently, a mechanism for resource sharing and cooperation between various stakeholders—such as archives, museums, and martyr cemeteries—has not yet been established. Consequently, the development of red archival resources is fragmented, making it difficult to achieve a clustering effect, and its potential value remains far from fully realized. As some scholars have insightfully pointed out, the development of red archives requires the deep value of "promoting collaborative governance among multiple subjects." However, due to the dual impact of administrative adjustments and the lack of coordination mechanisms, it is difficult for development entities in Nyingchi to form a synergy. This exacerbates the fragmentation of resource development and creates a long-term, significant gap between the actual value created by current practices and the potential value that collaborative development should release.
The Balance Between Confidentiality and Utilization: The Dilemma of Security
Archives provide original evidence or intelligence support for identity verification, memory production, and specific administrative or academic research. This is primarily due to the interdependence between the physical carrier and the content expression, as well as the consistency of their external representations. The continuous accumulation of this consistent expression enhances the authenticity, certainty, and reliability of archives in an axiological sense. The original record-keeping nature of archives depends on the integrity of both the physical carrier and the information content; however, the contradiction between confidentiality requirements and development utilization is particularly prominent in Nyingchi.
From a content perspective, a large portion of the massive red archives held in Nyingchi’s archives at all levels involves sensitive information such as administrative management and border maps from historical periods. Much of this has not yet completed the declassification process, and access often requires multiple levels of approval. This has objectively created a situation where "archival resources are rich, but utilization rates are low," leaving the educational and political value of red archives sealed away for long periods. From a spatial perspective, some red exhibition halls (such as the Walong Battle Exhibition Hall in Zayu County) and sites (such as the former site of the Sirika Command Post in Lang County and the former site of the Nyingchi Station of the State Administration of Radio and Television in Gongbo'gyamda County) are located in key national defense areas. Many relics remain at their original sites, and due to military confidentiality restrictions, both the content of the displays and the scope of public access are limited to varying degrees. This seriously affects the transformation of the educational value of red archives. How to establish a scientific and reasonable declassification mechanism and opening strategy—while maintaining national security—to fully activate and realize their contemporary value has become a critical issue that urgently needs to be solved.
Incomplete Protection Systems: The Dilemma of Survival
Red archives possess the triple attributes of archives, cultural relics, and historical documents. Their value is reflected not only in the original authenticity of historical records but also in their continuity as cultural heritage. These multifaceted attributes place extremely high demands on protection work. However, the intersection of Nyingchi’s unique natural environment and human factors is exerting a dual erosion on red archives (and red historical sites), placing them in a crisis of survival.
Influenced by the interaction between warm, humid airflows from the Indian Ocean and the plateau climate, Nyingchi experiences annual rainfall of up to 650–900 mm accompanied by strong ultraviolet radiation. This has created a highly corrosive environment. Some red sites exhibit wall weathering (such as the former site of Baduka Primary School), blurred inscriptions on stone tablets (such as in the Ancient City of Taizhao), and decaying wooden components (such as at the ruins of the Songzong Infantry School).
The former site of the Regiment Brick Kiln now consists only of remnant walls, and its current state of protection is worrying, with the authenticity and integrity of the site facing severe challenges. Furthermore, some grassroots organizations have limited awareness of the historical value of red archives, leading to crude preservation measures. Protection funding is often used for emergency repairs rather than systematic maintenance. During certain historical periods, some villagers, lacking guidance, dismantled timber from original red sites to build new houses. Important relics, such as the former site of the Infantry School, are now only ruins and are at risk of disappearing due to a lack of timely restoration. The absence of a protection system exacerbates the physical demise of red resources, causing subsequent development and utilization to lose their material foundation and creating a vicious cycle of dual stagnation in both protection and utilization.
[FIGURE: Former brick regiment kiln site]
4.4 红色档案多重凝视下的利用失衡:主客体之困
In the revolutionary context of "Red Archives," the pragmatic subjects primarily include the Communist Party of China, revolutionary regimes, and the revolutionary masses, while the pragmatic objects encompass the general public and future generations. During the utilization of Red Archives, the divergence and tension between the perspectives of these subjects and objects often lead to a one-sided extraction of resource value and limitations in communication effectiveness.
At the level of subject utilization, local characteristics are gradually becoming "voiceless" within the Red narrative. Although counties and districts possess highly recognizable regional Red resources—such as histories of military-civilian cooperation, unique biographical stories (e.g., the Ngapo Manor in Gongbo'gyamda County and the exhibition of Ngapo Ngawang Jigme’s personal deeds), and localized Red architecture (e.g., the Red building complex at the Yigong Tea Farm in Bomi County)—current development suffers from homogenized expression. Due to rigid narrative frameworks and a perspective that tilts excessively toward the autonomous region level, the subjective narrative of local Red culture has been marginalized. This makes it difficult to form unique and identifiable local Red memory symbols, resulting in a weakening emotional connection between Red archives and the local populace, which prevents the full realization of their function in constructing cultural identity.
At the level of object utilization, there is a significant misalignment between the diverse carriers of Red archives and contemporary communication needs, necessitating an urgent improvement in efficiency. Restricted by confidentiality regulations and declassification processes, a large volume of core archives formed in the 1950s and 1960s requires multi-departmental approval for access. Consequently, actual utilization is mostly confined to in-house research within archives, making it difficult for their social value in governance and education to penetrate and benefit a broader audience. Furthermore, there is a clear structural imbalance in audience coverage: current users remain concentrated among youth study groups, Party member education programs, and academic researchers. As a tourist city hosting millions of visitors annually, Nyingchi has yet to establish an effective dialogue between its Red archival utilization and the tourist population.
The realization path and future development direction for the development and utilization of Red archival resources in Nyingchi City during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period are as follows. The aforementioned practical dilemmas reflect that the development and utilization of Nyingchi's Red archival resources are currently facing systemic and multi-level challenges.
Taking the "14th Five-Year Plan" as the guiding principle and anchoring it to national strategic orientations, a multi-dimensional development path should be constructed across four dimensions—top-level systems and value empowerment—to activate the contemporary value of Nyingchi's Red archives. The conceptual framework for the development and utilization of Red archival resources in Nyingchi City is shown in the figure below.
Figure utilizing archives resources Linzhi
5.1 强化顶层制度设计:构建军地协同的红色资源整合体系
At a critical stage in the deep advancement of forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation and the development of ethnic unity and progress, the development and utilization of red archive resources in Nyingchi City must consistently adhere to the leadership of the Party. The core focus should be on strengthening organizational capacity building to continuously enhance the creativity and combat effectiveness of Party organizations. It is essential to further leverage the political core role of Party organizations and construct a collaborative and efficient working mechanism characterized by collective leadership. This ensures that Party organizations at all levels earnestly fulfill their political responsibilities and promote the implementation of the mission to forge a sense of community for the Chinese nation.
Guiding national strategy to solidify institutional support serves as the core lever for top-level design. Nyingchi City should proactively align with the "Opinions on Making Good Use of Red Resources and Cultivating New People of the Era: Red Tourism Promoting Soul-Building and Education" jointly issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Education. The development of red archives should be integrated into national strategic frameworks such as cultural revitalization in border areas and the construction of the Chinese national community. By formulating the "Special Plan for the Protection and Utilization of Red Archive Resources in Nyingchi City," the city can clarify core tasks—including resource integration, declassification and opening, and the integration of culture and tourism—thereby forming a robust institutional architecture.
To address the prominent issue of fragmented resources between military and civilian sectors, it is necessary to focus on building a joint management mechanism to break down barriers. For red military archives and civilian-military collaboration records formed during historical events such as the Sino-Indian Border Self-Defense Counterattack, a joint military-civilian archive management committee should be established. This committee will coordinate the collection, appraisal, and development of archives. By co-constructing shared databases, jointly compiling and researching historical material series, and exchanging professional personnel, the physical separation and administrative barriers of military and civilian archive resources can be overcome. This will strengthen the systematic organization of characteristic historical materials—such as military-civilian joint border defense and frontline support in border areas—and bridge the historical gaps caused by administrative division adjustments over the years, ensuring the integrity and continuity of red historical memory in Nyingchi and throughout Tibet.
Advancing Technological Breakthroughs in Declassification: Constructing a Secure and Controllable Archive Opening Mechanism
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the State Council has made important deployments for archive work in the new era. It emphasizes the goal of establishing a sound archive resource system covering the masses, an archive utilization system that facilitates public access, and an archive security system that ensures safety and confidentiality. To meet the requirements for further improving the institutional mechanisms of archive work, the utilization of confidential red archives in Nyingchi must rely on technological breakthroughs to solve the dilemma of balancing confidentiality and utilization.
Drawing on the pilot experience of the Tibet Autonomous Region Archives in declassifying and opening historical archives, Nyingchi City should implement a graded and classified declassification system. For border military-civilian collaboration records that have high security levels but have passed their confidentiality periods, experts should conduct joint research and demonstration. Based on this, blockchain technology can be used for data masking and usage traceability to ensure "openness without leakage." For non-confidential but regionally sensitive resources, such as red songs, digital watermarking technology can be targeted for copyright protection within a full-process digital management platform. Simultaneously, the archive declassification process should be advanced systematically through ideological construction, organizational guarantees, and institutional norms. The application of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be explored in archive management, open review, digital compilation, and security assurance. The goal is to achieve the comprehensive opening and utilization of non-confidential red archives from the post-1950s era in Tibet during the current period. Building on technological empowerment, it is necessary to strengthen archive digital infrastructure to break utilization barriers. Utilizing the East-West collaboration mechanism, digital archive technologies should be introduced to perform high-definition scanning of paper archives and stone inscriptions, and video digital archiving of oral histories from martyrs' families. A "Nyingchi Red Memory" mobile query platform should be developed simultaneously to achieve dual online and offline openness of archive resources, fundamentally overcoming the utilization constraints brought by geographic remoteness and confidentiality restrictions.
Cultivating Red Cultural Consciousness: Constructing a Collaborative Protection Network
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out the need to carry out the fine traditional Chinese culture, make good use of red culture, and develop socialist advanced culture to enrich the spiritual and cultural life of the people. It is essential to fully recognize the distribution characteristics of red archives in Nyingchi. This geographical trait dictates that the protection of red archives must move beyond the government "acting alone" toward a collaborative network that activates the endogenous motivation of the grassroots. Inheriting the tradition of "everyone is a border guard," the protection of red archives must also empower every villager to become a guardian of historical memory.
Awakening grassroots protection awareness and activating endogenous motivation is the primary task in building a collaborative network. To address the issues of natural erosion and insufficient human protection, "Red Site Coordinators" should be selected from border villages. Through specialized training, they can conduct daily inspections and tell local red stories to tourists. Integrating with the rural revitalization strategy, the protection of red sites should be incorporated into village regulations and non-governmental agreements, making red archives a part of the local cultural identity. On this basis, a "dual-wheel drive" model of preventive protection and restorative utilization should be established. At the technical level, joint efforts with cultural relic protection agencies should implement waterproofing and reinforcement projects for sites vulnerable to erosion. At the cultural level, using significant dates such as the Anniversary of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet and the Serfs' Emancipation Day, red memories should be integrated into the daily lives of villagers. Sites and relics should become "living" red education classrooms. Through the benign interaction between protection and utilization, the value of red resources can be sublimated, strengthening the emotional connection between red archives and the local populace.
Consolidating Government-Led Functions: Creating a Downward-Reaching Ecosystem for Red Archives
General Secretary Xi Jinping has noted the importance of well-preserving red archives that embody the Party's original aspiration and mission, and well-recording and retaining the history of the people's struggle under the Party's leadership toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era. These archives must serve the overall work of the Party and the state and serve the masses. This provides the fundamental guidance for the "downward-reaching" service of red archives. A development model led by the government is the institutional foundation for solidifying government functions.
Archive departments must adhere to the Party's leadership over archive work and clarify the coordinating role of the Party committee and government in the development of red archives. With archives at all levels as the main body, departments should lead the establishment of special working groups involving grassroots rural organizations and other stakeholders. The municipal finance department should establish a special fund for red cultural development, focusing on supporting livelihood-oriented projects such as archive digitization, the development of academic routes, and the design of cultural and creative products. This ensures that the results of development benefit the masses, enhancing their sense of experience, participation, and identity. By promoting pluralistic governance, the achievements of archive development can truly be shared by the people, better serving the public.
To achieve the downward reach of services, the utilization path should focus on activating grassroots red memories to solve the problem of "aphasia" in local characteristic narratives. By deeply mining local red stories such as villagers supporting the front lines and military-civilian co-construction, a "one-stop" red archive memory route can be created. This includes physical sites like the red building clusters of the 18th Army, Taozhao Ancient City, and the "General's Courtyard," combined with experiential projects such as "Border Red Memory" exhibitions based on the stories of the 18th Army in Old Tibet. For tourists, red culture and tourism departments can embed "micro-exhibitions" of red archives into travel itineraries and establish the "Yigong Tea Farm" red tea brand. Using digital platforms such as websites, tourists can find, collect, and select target red cultural resources, integrating "tourism, entertainment, shopping, dining, accommodation, and transportation." Through these channels, red culture can reach a wider audience via mobile scenarios, enhancing the cultural identity of both local residents and tourists.
Learning from Advanced Experience:
Regarding the future direction of red archives, while consolidating the existing foundation, Nyingchi's red archives must continuously expand their contemporary connotations and application boundaries. In the field of red culture research, collaboration with universities and research institutions both within and outside the region should be deepened. Special teams of experts in fields such as history should be assembled to establish research projects on Nyingchi's red culture, deeply mining the unique historical values of border construction and defense consolidation contained within the archives. Nyingchi can draw on the mature experiences of old revolutionary base areas to develop "composite culture and tourism" paths. This includes using red collection resources to enhance educational effects and adopting the "inheritance model" of revitalizing red genes at revolutionary sites. Simultaneously, embracing technological innovation will empower the entire chain of red cultural resource development, including planning, market expansion, and consumption. Referencing examples like the red archive digital exhibition halls in Shanghai, technologies such as motion capture, holographic projection, mapping, and big data can be applied to create new narrative scenes for Nyingchi's red archives within a "metaverse" context. The utilization of Nyingchi's red archives will break industry barriers, moving beyond traditional static displays of text and images toward a new form of immersive and interactive digital storytelling, allowing border red history to radiate contemporary vitality through technological empowerment.
Conclusion
Witnessing history through archives and nourishing original aspirations with "Red Culture," we must profoundly recognize that archival work is inextricably linked to the preservation of Red Culture and the cause of ethnic unity and progress. It possesses irreplaceable contemporary value and strategic significance. At present, Red archival work is in a critical transition phase, moving from the "protective preservation of resources" to the "creative transformation of value." Research into the utilization of Red archives must focus on core directions such as service capacity building and the modernization of governance, striving to resolve the primary contradictions encountered during this developmental transformation.
For Nyingchi City, enhancing the development and utilization of Red archives involves transforming the revolutionary narratives contained within them into perceptible, participatory, and inheritable life scenes. By making Red Culture a powerful spiritual guide for strengthening the consciousness of the Community of the Chinese Nation, we not only provide a vivid manifestation of the "Old Tibet Spirit" and the "Nyingchi Spirit" but also inject lasting spiritual nourishment and developmental momentum into the high-quality economic and social development and cultural prosperity of Nyingchi.
Looking at the Tibet Autonomous Region as a whole, the Red cultural resources of Nyingchi City serve as a historical testament to the Communist Party of China's governance and construction of Tibet. These resources fully demonstrate the great historical journey of various ethnic groups, led by the Tibetans and Hans, as they devoted themselves to revolutionary practice. Together, they have constructed a modern system of Red cultural resources in Tibet, serving as a vivid footnote to the formation and development of the Community of the Chinese Nation.
In the process of building the Community of the Chinese Nation, Nyingchi City has provided a practical model and valuable experience for the inheritance and development of Red Culture in the Tibet Autonomous Region through the development and utilization of Red archival resources. In turn, the stable development of the Tibet Autonomous Region continuously strengthens the construction of the Community of the Chinese Nation, forming a positive cycle of mutual promotion and common progress.
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Author Contributions
Hou Xiwen: Supervised the thesis writing and provided revision suggestions.
Wang Zhao: Determined the research topic and framework, and performed the drafting and revision of the paper. Zhang Qingchong: Provided writing materials and resources. Five-Year period:
Empowering Xizang's high-quality development archives:
Multiple dimensions, current breakthroughs, innovative paths-Based research resources Linzhi Xiwen
1 Zhang
Qingchong
1 School
of Management,Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712000
2 Propaganda
Department Linzhi Municipal Committee, Linzhi
Abstract
[Purpose/Significance] archives,as carrier culture, engrave collective memory region,but carry mission inheriting genes blood critical juncture planning layout ,research archives Linzhi being conducted activating cultural efficacy local archives assisting inheritance development culture [Method/Process] Based field research systematic sorting resources Linzhi city,the Research Group comprehensively investigated overall situation resources Linzhi city,focusing unique value current shortcomings local archives.
Through field investigations,literature analysis,and other methods,the group obtained first-hand information solid foundation subsequent research.
Result/Conclusion After systematic argumentation, targeted solutions proposed dimensions:institutional,security,protection,and utilization, providing practical solutions solving existing problems Linzhi Archives academic support practical reference strategic layout Linzhi's construction border city.
Keywords
archives development utilization Linzhi research *This supported major project National Social Science Fund, project titled Archives Democratic Reform Research History Democratic Reform Xizang Xizang related Areas Provinces (Grant No.21&ZD216).
Authors: Xiwen,Professor,Master's Supervisor,E-mail Zhao,a master's student; Zhang Qingchong,Chief radio television section Propaganda Department Linzhi Municipal Committee.