South Seas Communist Party Explained

South Seas Communist Party
Native Name Lang:zh-hant
Abbreviation:SSCP
Foundation:1925
Dissolution:1930
Ideology:Communism
Headquarters:Singapore
Position:Far-left
Split:Communist Party of China
Country:Singapore

The South Seas Communist Party (SSCP), also known as the Nanyang Communist Party (Chinese: t=南洋共產黨), was a communist party in Southeast Asia established in 1925 when the Chinese Communist Party dissolved its overseas branches in Nanyang to make way for the creation of local communist parties. The SSCP succeeded earlier efforts by the Indonesian communist Tan Malaka to establish communist parties in the region.

The SSCP was headquartered in Singapore. The SSCP disbanded in 1930, and national communist parties were formed, such as the Communist Party of Indochina (led by Ho Chi Minh), Malayan Communist Party and Communist Party of Siam.

South Seas Communist Party in Burma

A minor branch of the South Seas Communist Party was formed in Burma. The group was formed by Wu Wei Sai (alias Wu Ching Sin), who had arrived to Rangoon in May 1929. Along with his wife he conducted propaganda activities in the Rangoon Chinatown. A small group of followers was formed, but largely the establishment of a Chinese communist movement in Burma failed as the Chinese community in Burma was dominated by middle-class elements. Rangoon had relatively few Chinese labourers. Wu Wei Sai left Burma in 1930. The group that remained, the Provisional Committee, Special Division, Burma of the South Seas Communist Party, had only a handful members. Some were deported to China by the British authorities.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Lintner, Bertil. The Rise and Fall of the Communist Party of Burma (CPB). Southeast Asia Program series, no. 6. Ithaca, N.Y.: Southeast Asia Program, Cornell University, 1990. p. 5