The 1st National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in Shanghai, and later in Zhejiang, from 1921 July 23 to August 2. The Congress established the Communist Party of China. The congress began in a shikumen building of the French Concession area of Shanghai. At the time, there were 57 members of the Party. Notably, the two founders of the party did not attend the congress: Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao. After harassment from the occupying French police, the meeting was moved to a boat on South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang.
The Congress elected Chen Duxiu as Secretary, Zhang Guotao as Director of Organization, and Li Da as Director of Propaganda.