On the morning of October 26th, the grand celebration for high-quality development and the 40th anniversary of Beijing City University was held at the Chaobai Lecture Hall. Faculty, students, alumni, and guests reviewed the 40 years of hard work and entrepreneurial journey, while looking forward to a bright future of high-quality development in the new era.
Event Scene
The former Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, one of the main initiators of Beijing City University, and the founding chairman of the board, Jia Chunwang; the Chairman of the Social and Legal Affairs Committee of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), former Minister of Justice Zhang Fusen; the Chairman of the Education, Science, Health, and Sports Committee of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC, former Minister of Education Yuan Guiren; the Vice Chairman of Beijing Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee, Yu Jun; the Deputy Mayor, Sima Hong; the Member of the Municipal Government's Party Leadership Group and the Party Secretary of the National Major Scientific Research Facility, Sui Zhenjiang; the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal CPPCC Party Leadership Group and the Vice Chairman, Cui Shuqiang; the Member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and the President of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Wang Ning; the former Vice Minister of Education, Zhang Tianbao; the former Deputy Mayor of Beijing, Hu Zhaoguang; the former Deputy Secretary of the Municipal CPPCC Party Leadership Group and the Vice Chairman, Shen Rendao; the former Deputy Mayor, Fan Boyuan; the former Deputy Secretary of the Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee Party Leadership Group and the Vice Chairman, Niu Youcheng; the former Member of the Municipal Committee's Standing Committee, the Secretary-General, and the Secretary of the Education Work Committee, Zhao Fengtong; the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Education Work Committee, Li Junfeng; the Secretary of the Haidian District Committee, Zhang Ge; the Secretary of the Shunyi District Committee, Gong Zongyuan; the Head of the Shunyi District, Cui Xiaohao; the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Peking University, Wu Fulai; the Deputy Director of the Municipal Education Commission, Wang Fang; the Member of the Standing Committee of the Shunyi District Committee and the Deputy District Head, Feng Jiangquan; the Chairman of the Municipal Education System's Mass Work Committee, Zhang Xue; the Chairman of the Beijing Higher Education Society, Xian Lianping; as well as relevant department heads from the municipal and district levels and representatives from friendly cooperative units, all gathered together to witness this historic moment.
Singing the National Anthem
The celebration began with the singing of the national anthem. President Liu Lin delivered the keynote report, emotionally recalling the school's journey from its humble beginnings to its gradual growth and development. He summarized the six key principles that have guided the school's success over the past four decades and presented vivid data and examples showcasing the university's brilliant 40-year development. Liu emphasized that all achievements were accomplished under the leadership of various party and government levels and with the support of society, through the tireless efforts, wisdom, and dedication of generations of faculty and students. He tearfully remembered the founding principals, including President Fu Zhengtai, and expressed sincere gratitude to all individuals and organizations that have supported the university.
President Liu Lin's Keynote Report
Looking towards the next decade, President Liu Lin proposed to fully implement the thought of Xi Jinping on socialist modernization, deeply carry out the deployment of the National Education Conference and the Outline of Education Power Construction, and focus on the 2035 vision. The university aims to take high-quality development as the main theme and strive for the goal of a high-level non-government university by firmly implementing the Six Modernizations strategic plan: First, deepening the reform of the modern school system to further showcase the advantages of the non-government education system; second, deepening the integrated development pattern to contribute more prominently to serving the capital city's development; third, strengthening talent team construction to provide stronger guarantees for building a high-level non-government university; fourth, strengthening campus and school building construction to create more suitable working, learning, and living conditions for faculty and students; fifth, optimizing the layout of disciplines and majors to align more closely with future trends; and sixth, optimizing the concepts of running schools and managing affairs for a more sustainable future.
Gong Yu,Chair of the University Council of BCU Presides Over the Assembly.
Yuan Jia, Vice President of Beijing City University, read the congratulatory messages and letters.
Vice President Yuan Jia read congratulatory letters from the Haidian District Committee and Government, as well as the Shunyi District Committee and Government, along with messages of congratulations from veteran leaders in the city’s education system, including Wang Jialiu and Chen Dabai, in celebration of the university's 40th anniversary. The letters and messages fully affirmed the school’s achievements over the past four decades in talent cultivation, scientific research, social service, cultural heritage, and international exchange. They emphasized that over the past 40 years, Beijing City University, as a model of non-government education in China and a pioneer in higher education reform, has forged a creative path in running the institution, making significant contributions to the development of national education and the capital. They expressed hopes that under the leadership of the Party, the university would continue to strive toward high-quality development and make even greater contributions to the goal of building a strong nation through education. Astronaut and national hero General Yang Liwei sent a video message to congratulate the university, encouraging students to work hard and serve the country. Nobel Prize-winning author Mo Yan also wrote a special congratulatory message for BCU, wishing the university’s faculty, students, and alumni a bright future. The Beijing Central Axis Foundation sent a special gift to the school, expressing gratitude to the faculty and students for their contributions to the successful World Heritage application for the Central Axis.
The 95-year-old Wang Jialiu, former Executive Vice President of the Central Party School and former Deputy Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, specially entrusted his family to record a congratulatory video on his behalf.
Astronaut and national hero General Yang Liwei encouraged the faculty and students to strive forward and serve the country.
Nobel Prize-winning author Mo Yan wrote a congratulatory message, wishing the university’s faculty, students, and alumni a bright future.
The Beijing Central Axis Foundation sent a special gift to express gratitude to the university’s faculty and students for their contributions to the successful World Heritage application for the Central Axis.
In recent days, more than a hundred universities from both China and abroad, including Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, Beihang University, China Agricultural University, The Central Academy of Drama, Beijing University of Technology, Capital Normal University, and the University of Warwick, have sent congratulatory letters and messages to BCU. On behalf of the sister institutions, Professor Wu Fulai extended warm congratulations to the school on its 40th anniversary. He remarked that Renmin University of China and Beijing City University share a deep historical bond. Renmin University was deeply involved in the founding of Beijing City University, actively contributing to the university's construction and development. Throughout the long course of educational practice, the two universities have advanced hand in hand, supporting and inspiring each other, and forging a profound friendship. He expressed hopes that the collaboration and exchanges between the two universities will continue to deepen, contributing even stronger educational power toward accelerating the building of a strong socialist education system with Chinese characteristics and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.
Professor Wu Fulai, Deputy Party Secretary and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Renmin University of China, delivered a speech on behalf of the sister institutions.
Alumnus Qi Lei from the Class of 2009 took the stage to share his valuable experiences of studying and growing at BCU. He recalled the unforgettable moment when he saved a life while volunteering during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also talked about how, after graduation, he embodied the BCU spirit of advocating innovation, striving for excellence, and valuing hard work, achieving success at companies such as CNPC, CNOOC, DiDi, and Ucommune. He mentioned that the university has always aimed to foster the success and happiness of every citizen's child as its founding mission and goal, using its unique spiritual essence and pragmatic approach to nurture generations of outstanding talents. Alumni from all over the country extended their sincere congratulations to their alma mater on its 40th anniversary, expressing gratitude and high hopes for the future.
Alumnus Qi Lei from the Class of 2009 delivered a speech as the alumni representative.
Vice Mayor Sima Hong delivered a speech on behalf of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee and the Beijing Municipal Government, fully affirming Beijing City University’s achievements over the past 40 years. She highlighted that the university has always adhered to the comprehensive leadership of the Party, aiming to fulfill the people's aspirations for high-quality higher education and serving the development of the capital and its industries. The university has taken root in Beijing, positioning itself as a university for the people and an industry partner university, cultivating a large number of high-quality, application-oriented talents for the city's governance and industrial transformation. She emphasized that the university has made significant contributions to China’s higher education reform and the economic and social development of the capital. Sima Hong stressed that the education system is now deeply implementing the spirit of the National Education Conference, and Beijing is accelerating the construction of a high-quality education system, promoting the integrated development of education, science, and talent. As an important part of Beijing’s higher education system, Beijing City University should be guided by the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and the National Education Conference. The university should further strengthen political leadership, uphold innovation while maintaining core principles, and boldly tackle challenges. BCU must firmly adhere to the direction of socialist education, focus on high-quality development, and better serve the development of the capital in the new era. By doing so, the university can contribute more BCU wisdom to the construction of a strong nation and the development of Beijing. She also assured that the Party Committee and the Municipal Government would continue to support the university's construction and development, helping it to become a high-level, application-oriented university as soon as possible.
Speech by Vice Mayor of Beijing, Sima Hong.
Amidst warm applause, Founding Chairman Jia Chunwang delivered a speech. He noted that over the past 40 years, the university has grown from nothing into a well-known non-government university, recognized both domestically and internationally. It has become a model of non-government education in China and a flag-bearer of higher education reform. Those who witnessed the founding, development, and growth of the university experienced its early hardships and now see the tremendous changes it has undergone. The university’s 40 years of development could not have been achieved without the guidance of the Party’s and the country’s policies on non-government education. The establishment and progress of the university were driven by the momentum of the reform and opening-up era, forging ahead despite challenges. The university’s development has also relied on the correct leadership of the Party and the government, as well as the strong support of society at large. The concern, support, and recognition from Party and state leaders, the Ministry of Education, the Beijing Municipal Party Committee and Government, and various sectors of society have provided strong affirmation of the university’s achievements, pointed the way forward, strengthened confidence, and boosted morale. Moreover, BCU's progress is inseparable from the hard work and innovative efforts of its entire faculty, staff, and students. Over the years, the university has continuously attracted a wide range of talented individuals who have laid a solid foundation for its stable and healthy development.
Speech by Jia Chunwang, one of the main founders and the Founding Chairman of Beijing City University.
He emphasized that the grand celebration of BCU’s 40th anniversary and the High-Quality Development Conference marks the beginning of a new phase for the institution. BCU must deeply study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on education, adhere to the Party’s educational policies, and fulfill the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. The university should cultivate well-rounded socialist builders and successors who excel in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education, demonstrating its determination and responsibility in contributing to the construction of a strong nation through education. Furthermore, the university should closely align with the development needs of the country, the capital, and various industries, deepening the integration of city and education, and industry and education. By doing so, it will provide intellectual and talent support for the development of the capital in the new era and contribute wisdom and strength to the construction of Beijing’s Four Centers. BCU must also carry forward its fine traditions, focusing on high-quality development, strengthening its teaching staff, advancing educational reforms, and improving students’ abilities in innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment. This will drive its high-quality, high-level development and ensure the provision of education that satisfies the people.
Tribute to Faculty and Staff in the Performance Passing on the BCU Legacy.
During the conference, faculty and student representatives jointly performed the original recitation piece Passing on the BCU Legacy, celebrating the BCU’s unwavering commitment over 40 years. Old photos and familiar faces of past leaders and teachers displayed on the screen evoked warm memories of the university’s early days. The passionate recitation filled the hall with youthful energy. Student representatives presented flowers to the guests who have supported the university, paying tribute to their dedication to education and selfless support.
Expressions of Gratitude and Respect.
Former Minister Zhang Fusen and Professor Guo Guangsheng, Chairman of the Academic Committee, presented commemorative certificates to faculty members who have worked at the university for 30 years, thanking them for their dedication and contributions to cultivating future generations.
Present commemorative certificates to the representative of faculty and staff who have worked at the school for 30 years.
The university choir’s performance of The Road of BCU resonated with the audience, and the conference concluded successfully with the enduring melody of Ode to the Motherland.
The conference was chaired by Professor Gong Yu, Secretary of the University Party Committee. Over 1,000 attendees, including former university leaders Wu Yuhua, Cheng Yunhua, Ran Nan, Pang Donghui, and Xia Yusheng, as well as Executive Vice President Professor Tian Peiyuan, other university leaders, retired faculty members, alumni, and student and faculty representatives attended the conference. After the event, many expressed their determination to continue the spirit of BCU, passing on the torch through perseverance and hard work. They pledged to live up to expectations, face challenges without fear, and strive tirelessly to further the university’s legacy, creating new glories and making new contributions to the construction of a strong nation and the development of Beijing.
