Peking University, May 4, 2023: Peking University held a ceremony at the Administrative Building Hall on May 4, 2023, in celebration of its 125th anniversary. Attended by leaders and guests from within and outside the University, along with student, teacher, and alumni representatives, the ceremony reviewed PKU’s impressive accomplishments over the past 125 years, with a particular emphasis on the last five years, and looked forward to the future of building the institution into a world-class university. Hao Ping, chairman of the PKU Council, presided over the event.
 

Hao Ping

The ceremony was preceded by choir performances delivered by teachers and students from Peking University, PKU Affiliated High School, and PKU Affiliated Primary School. The ceremony started with a solemn rendition of the national anthem.

Group photo of performers at the ceremony

Gong Qihuang

During his address, Gong Qihuang, president of Peking University, expressed his gratitude to the University's teachers, students, staff, and alumni for their unwavering support and contributions to the institution's growth. Gong emphasized PKU's innovative approaches, achievements, and breakthroughs in recent years in talent cultivation, faculty and discipline development, scientific research, social services, open education, and campus construction.

Gong stressed that in the current year, Peking University would continue to "take root" in Chinese society, fostering innovation, cultivating and attracting talents, and promoting scientific research. PKUers would continue to forge ahead with the nation and its people in a bid to make their contributions to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he added.
 

Zhu Suli

Teacher representative, Zhu Suli, a professor at PKU Law School, took the example of law to discuss the profound impact and fresh challenges that rapid technological advancements have brought to traditional social science research paradigms. Prof. Zhu encouraged PKUers to carry forward the spirit of pursuing new endeavors while preserving Peking University's academic traditions. He urged students to approach society's challenges with an open and innovative mindset.
 

Liu Zhao

Student representative Liu Zhao from the College of Urban and Environmental Sciences shared what he had learned and gained during his studies at Peking University. Liu was inspired by his teachers' love for their country and dedication to society. The doctoral student deemed his alma mater as the “starting point” to realize his values, “I will set off from a fresh start and go the distance,” he said.

Liu Jifeng

Alumni representative, Liu Jifeng, who is deputy director-general of the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), looked back on his exuberant life at PKU and recalled his educational and teaching experience. He credited the University's spirit of adhering to ideals and striving for perfection as the precious wealth that enabled him to pursue scientific truth and make unremitting efforts in promoting astronomy's development in China.

In his remarks, Hao Ping emphasized the coordinated development of education, science, technology, and talent in PKU's journey ahead. He urged Peking University to build friendly and cooperative relations with world-class universities and important partners, deepen its opening-up, and promote international exchange and cooperation. He urged PKU to become a bridge between China and the rest of the world, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The anniversary ceremony concluded with the melodious chorus of “Yanyuanqing,” an unofficial anthem of Peking University. 
 

Written by: Dennis Meng
Edited by: Zhang Jiang
Source: PKU News (Chinese)