In the end of 1927, he led the Guangzhou Uprising and was appointed secretary-general of the Canton Soviet Government. After its failure, he fled first to Hong Kong and later to Shanghai. In the end of 1928, he started to direct propaganda work of the communist party, creating the periodical "Red Flag". In June 1929, he was elected as a central committee member in the 2nd Plenary Session of 6th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Due to his opposition to leftist mistakes within the party, he was demoted and appointed communist party council secretary of Shanghai Ludong District.