On April, 16, the signing ceremony of cooperation agreement between Renmin University of China and Zigong Municipal People’s Government, the Inauguration of RUC Talent Training and Education Base & the Education Base for the History of RUC were successfully held. The move is not only an embodiment of the university’s deep affection for the hometown of old President Wu Yuzhang, but also bears witness to the two sides’ wishes for greater cooperation and win-win outcomes.

Zhang Donggang, Chair of the University Council, and Zheng Shuiquan, Vice Chair of the University Council attended the ceremony. Wu Benli, granddaughter of the old president Wu Yuzhang, also a former professor of the School of Information, RUC, among other descendants of the revolutionary forefathers, as well as relevant experts and scholars from different departments also witnessed the event.

Zeng Hongyang, Party chief of Zigong City; Xiao Bingdong, Member of CPC Zigong Standing Committee, and the executive vice-mayor of Zigong City; Zhu Yun, Member of CPC Zigong Standing Committee, Secretary General, Minister of Zigong Organization Department and Huang Jin, director of the publicity department of Zigong City are all present.

01 A continuation of revolutionary traditions and heritage

In his speech, Zhang Donggang suggested that Wu Yuzhang, the old President of RUC, represents the bond that connects RUC and Zigong City and a symbol of culture for the two sides. With shared revolutionary traditions and heritage, the two sides have developed a deep friendship.

In accordance with the central authority’s requirement to carry forward RUC’s revolutionary traditions and heritage, we are here today to strength the cooperation between RUC and Zigong City, leveraging our respective strength for mutual-benefit outcomes.

02 A shared heritage and a genuine friendship

Following Zhang’s speech, Zeng Hongyang also delivered a speech to the guests. Excerpts from his speech are as follows.

Today, with a deep affection for the old president Wu Yuzhang, we gathered in the beautiful city of Zigong for in-depth investigation and research and an exchange meeting for the second round of school-city cooperation agreement, a move that fully demonstrate the university’s high sense of responsibility to actively contribute to regional development. The decision will certainly provide a constant source of talent and intellectual support for the development of Zigong. The friendship between the two sides is long-established. Following the signing of cooperation agreement in 2018 in particular, our all-round, multi-domain and high-level exchanges and cooperation have been greatly enhanced.

For years, both sides have been striving to carry forward the revolutionary traditions and heritage. We jointly established the Museum of Wu Yuzhang, building a lively hall to prolong the revolutionary traditions and heritage. We worked together to cultivate outstanding talent by jointly establishing the RUC Youth Cadre Education and Training Center, with nearly 500 young teachers and students working in Zigong to contribute their wisdom to the city’s development and nearly 10,000 Chinese Communist and cadres drawing nutrition from the national high-end think tank. We also worked together for greater higher education. Since 2010, 83 RUC graduates have come to the city as volunteer teachers, which greatly empowered our drive to build a more promising future. The two sides also co-held the third alumni forum of Renmin University of China, building a platform of “alumni economy” to accelerate the transformation and upgrading of the old industrial city.

As we press ahead for leapfrog development with Zigong’s distinctive characteristics, we urgently need the support of Renmin University of China and wish to deepen cooperation with the university.

Following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, President Wu Yuzhang has returned to his hometown three times to visit his family members and fellow countrymen, offering many valuable advices for the development of the city.

As the “friends and relatives” of President Wu Yuzhang, we must engage in closer and more frequent cooperation, carrying forward our special relationship through regular contact, mutual visits and communications. Going forward, we will take advantage of the opportunities brought about by the signing of the second round of cooperation agreement to further boost the quality, coverage and efficiency of the school-city cooperation, advance the flow of talents and the sharing of resources, making our cooperation a stellar example for the cooperation between universities and regions.

03 Renewal of cooperation agreement

As representatives of Renmin University of China and Zigong city, Zheng Shuiquan, Vice Chairman of the University Council and Xiao Bingdong, the executive vice-mayor of Zigong City signed the cooperation agreement. Zhang Donggang, Chairperson of the University Council and Zeng Hongyang, Party chief of Zigong City, witnessed the signing ceremony.

Zhang Donggang awarded plaques of the Talent Training and Education Base & the Education Base for the History of Renmin University of China to Yi Dong, Party secretary of Zigong county, and Zhou Mingyang, director of the publicity department of Zigong City.

04 A visit to Wu Yuzhang’s former residence

On the same day, representatives from the two sides also paid a special visit to Wu Yuzhang’s former residence before coming to his graveyard where the delegation presented flower baskets in memory of the dedicated President. With a commitment to the future of the ruling party, the country and its people, President Wu has always chased after truth and progress, unswervingly sticking to his original aspiration. “Throughout Wu Yuzhang’s life”, as Comrade Mao Zedong aptly puts it, “he has only done good deed that was good for our people while avoiding anything that undermined people’s interests.” Wu Yuzhang is the frontrunner of democratic revolution, the contributor of Chinese communism, the pioneer of a new type of liberal arts education and the creator of Renmin University of China.

05 The voice of the younger generation

Wang Shilong

Member of the RUC volunteer teaching program

Political teacher of Yu Zhang Middle School

At the Museum of Wu Yuzhang, we discovered the stories of the revolutionists in the 1950s. Following the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to establish Renmin University of China, with Wu Yuzhang being the president. The inauguration of the university took place in October, 1950. Thereafter, wu has been responsible for the functioning of the university for 17 years.

At the Museum, a story of inheritance was also discovered. While our old president organized a collective labor early in 1952, similar program was also unveiled early this year. This is a heritage inherited from 68 years ago. In addition, while today’s central authority is laying great emphasis on investigation and research, comrade Mao Zedong, early in 1958, also organized personnel to conduct investigation and research after bringing with them books edited by Renmin University of China, which has always been an important instrument that has allowed the CPC to conduct investigation.

Zhu Min

Student from Yu Zhang Middle School

As the voluntary teachers from Renmin University of China repeatedly reminds us, today’s peaceful learning environment is hard-won and we must cherish it as much as possible. Their exhortation always made me wonder what they have learnt in that turbulent times.

When I was at the former residence of Wu Yuzhang, looking at the faded photos and books with blurred handwriting resulted from repeated reading, I felt as if I had walked into the classroom of the early revolutionists and set next them for the same lesson. They told me that as long as one understands the purpose of learning, one can learn anywhere anytime - in the midst of the turbulent times or confronted with mountainous workload; if there is no opportunity to learn, one can just create an opportunity, and if there is no suitable school to learn, one can just build a school!