Students celebrated the 92nd anniversary of the founding of the prestigious

Tsinghua University in many unique ways on Sunday, despite fears of SARS.

"Salute the medical staff who work at the frontline of the fight against SARS!",

"Please write down your blessings and make them fly with the paper crane" were

some of the slogans, together with colorful paper cranes hanging along the main

road of Tsinghua, drawing many passers-by to write their blessing and making paper

cranes themselves.

The "paper crane action" was jointly launched by the university's volunteer team

and Love-Heart Association to encourage every student to make a paper crane to

express respect and blessings for medical staff. Within the past two days, nearly

3,000 paper cranes were sent to the organizers.

As all grand celebration ceremonies have been canceled due to the SARS virus,

students from the university's art troupe volunteered to perform beside the No.10

dining hall.

Folk dancing, drum shows as well as crosstalk performances all received

enthusiastic applause.

It was very obvious that the SARS panic was dispelled from the campus as students

were at every corner of the university, in corridors, study rooms, libraries and

gardens to continue their study, exercise and academic discussion.

On the university's website, many students left their sincere words at this

special day, saying that when they grew old, this sunny spring, together with the

face masks, soaps and the SARS panic as well as their optimism would remain in

their memories.

Some students also expressed their great confidence in conquering the potentially

lethal disease, saying Tsinghua students would build a bright future for the

motherland with their knowledge, wisdom and good health.

(27-04-2003)