Learn from the past and know the future, learn history from the General Secretary丨A six-foot alley, the spirit will be passed down forever

In Anhui Province, the city of Tongcheng is often referred to as “Cultural Capital.” In the bustling center of Tongcheng lies a narrow alleyway about one hundred meters long and two meters wide, adorned with blue bricks, dark tiles, and towering ancient trees—this is Liuchi Alley.

On the afternoon of October 17, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Liuchi Alley to learn about efforts in preserving and promoting traditional Chinese culture and enhancing spiritual civilization within the community.

What stories of mutual respect and concession have been passed down through this quaint alley? What wisdom of China lies embedded in its rich historical and cultural narrative?

“Why not allow him three feet of space?”

“One letter comes only for a wall, what harm is there in giving three feet? The Great Wall still stands today, yet one cannot see Emperor Qin from back then.” This timeless “Wall Poem,” originating from Liuchi Alley, has been recited for centuries.

Historical records tell us that during the Kangxi era in the Qing Dynasty, a conflict arose between Zhang Ying, a prestigious scholar and official, and his neighbor, the Wu family, over land disputes. The Zhang family reached out to Zhang Ying for help, prompting him to respond with a brief yet profound poem.

Upon reading his words, the Zhang family decided to concede three feet of their land, which deeply touched the Wu family, leading them to also relinquish three feet. Thus, a harmonious six-foot-wide alley emerged, giving Liuchi Alley its name and creating a lasting tale of mutual respect and harmony.

In this narrow alley, there exists a spacious sense of community; in this short passageway, a long history unfolds.

Today, the spirit of “Liuchi Alley” can be found throughout the streets of Tongcheng: signs reading “Competing won’t get you far, yielding creates Liuchi Alley” adorn roadways; comic illustrations related to the concept appear on street walls; children’s textbooks share the story of Liuchi Alley…

The principles of humility and kindness, embodied in the spirit of Liuchi Alley, continue to nourish the hearts of the Chinese people across generations.

**The Concepts of “Yielding” and “Harmony” in Liuchi Alley**

Zhang Yun, a direct descendant of Zhang Ying, grew up beside Liuchi Alley and currently serves as the Party Secretary of the Liuchi Alley Community. In his over 20 years of community work, he frequently draws on the lessons of Liuchi Alley to guide his interactions, using his ancestors’ wisdom to resolve numerous neighborhood disputes.

President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of integrating traditional cultural elements suitable for nurturing social relationships and encouraging positivity in people, thus adapting them to contemporary contexts.

The people’s court in Tongcheng has implemented the spirit of Liuchi Alley in judicial mediation, employing a six-step process known as the “Liuchi Alley Mediation Method” inspired by the principles of “listening, discerning, advising, borrowing, yielding, and harmonizing.” The most resonant elements of this method are the ideas of “yielding” and “harmony,” where “yielding” serves as the approach and “harmony” remains the goal.

In recent years, the city of Tongcheng has integrated the spirit of Liuchi Alley into various aspects of grassroots governance, drawing inspiration from the “Fengqiao Experience” to innovate and establish the “New Era Liuchi Alley Working Method,” transforming effective conflict resolution into a systematic approach for grassroots governance.

Notably, the “Liuchi Alley” mediation method was recognized in the work report of the Supreme People’s Court during the Two Sessions of the national assembly in 2023. In November 2023, the “New Era Liuchi Alley Working Method” was celebrated as an advanced example of the new-style Fengqiao Experience, showcased in the Fengqiao Experience Exhibition Hall.

**Sustaining and Developing the New Era “Fengqiao Experience”**

In the early 1960s, the citizens and officials of Fengqiao in Zhejiang Province pioneered the Fengqiao Experience of community-initiated conflict resolution, aiming for minor issues to stay within the village and major ones within the town, minimizing the need to escalate disputes.

Governance and stability at the national level rely heavily on grassroots efforts. President Xi has pointed out, “With a population of 1.4 billion, an overflow of legal disputes would be unsustainable.” He has urged for the “sustaining and development of the New Era Fengqiao Experience.”

In September 2023, during a visit to the Fengqiao Experience Exhibition Hall, the President reiterated the importance of embracing the people’s route and relying on community members to resolve issues locally and at their inception.

Across various regions, like Anhui’s New Era Liuchi Alley Working Method, Liaoning’s “Three-Zero” approach in Shenyang’s Mudan community, Fujian’s “Overseas Chinese Fengqiao” dispute resolution method, and Sichuan’s “Trust System” for property disputes in Chengdu’s Wuhou District, communities are innovatively developing and enriching the New Era Fengqiao Experience through grassroots participation.

Ultimately, it is all for the people and relies on the people. From local strategies to national policies, the New Era Fengqiao Experience continues to grow and flourish, embodying the wisdom of managing grassroots governance in today’s changing times.