By Li Han

Staff Writer of the Tsinghua News Center

A meeting was recently held in Tsinghua’s Main Building to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the National Southwest Associated University. State Council Member Chen Zhili attended and addressed the meeting held by Tsinghua University Council Chairman Chen Xi.

(State Council Member Chen Zhili )

Tsinghua University President Gu Binglin spoke at the meeting. He cited the particular importance of holding on to the innovative education tradition and patriotic spirit of the National Southwest Associated University. He encouraged teachers and students to further improve education quality in order to make more contributions to the development of the nation.

Professor Liang Jisheng, Professor of Nankai University, Yan Zi, a student from Peking University, Professor Zhou Benzhen, senior administrator of Yunnan Normal University, and Mr. Shen Keqi, director of the National Southwest Associated University Alumni Association , all spoke at the meeting.  

Mr. Wang Hanbin, Former Vice-Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and honorary President of the National Southwest Associated University Alumni Association, Mr. Peng Peiyun, Former Vice-Chairman of NPC Standing Committee and honorary President of the Alumni Association of the National Southwest Associated University, Minister of Education Zhou Ji, Mr. Xiang Zhaolun, Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, Mr. Ren Jiyu, honorary Director of the National Library and honorary President of the  National Southwest Associated University Alumni Association, Professor Min Weifang, Chairman of the Peking University Council, and Professor Rao Zihe, President of Nankai University, also attended the meeting.

An inauguration ceremony was held that afternoon for the unveiling of the “Monument of the National Southwest Associated University”. Activities for the celebration included a picture exhibition in the Main Building.

During the Resistance War against the Japanese Invasion, Tsinghua University was moved to Kunming, where it formed, with Peking University and Nankai University, Southwest Associated University. In 1946, Tsinghua was moved back to its original Peking location.

(Photo by Guo Haijun)