CPC Heroes

Edgar Snow

(china.org.cn)
Updated: 2011-05-09 20:03

Edgar Snow (July 19, 1905-February 15, 1972) was an American journalist and writer. He was the first Western journalist to visit Yan'an, then the "red capital" of China.

During his visit in 1936, he interviewed leaders of the Communist Party of China, including Chairman Mao Zedong. Snow's interviews resulted in the book Red Star over China, the first Western book to give a first-hand account of how the CPC, the Red Army and the people under the CPC's rule were struggling to defend their country against the Japanese invasion and improve their welfare.

His reports helped the CPC win international sympathy and support during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).

During the 1960s and 1970s, Snow visited China several times to report on its progress during a time of antagonism with and isolation from Western powers.

His work contributed not only to the revolution and construction of the new China, but also to US people's understanding of China.