As the school celebrated its 45th birthday, the Painting Biography of Chen Zixing and the Painting Biography of Yu Changtan were officially published by the editorial committee headed by Party Secretary Lai Hairong and President Liao Shenji of FPNU.

On the morning of December 2, FPNU held publication symposium of the Painting Biography of Chen Zixing and the Painting Biography of Yu Changtan in the Academic Lecture Hall on Wumashan Campus.

Secretary Lai Hairong expressed in a speech that the yearning and attachment of overseas Chinese for their homeland were embodiment of inner cohesion of Chinese culture. Among contemporary overseas Chinese excellent people whose root were in Fujian, Mr. Chen Zixing and Mr. Yu Changtan went abroad and set up business. However, they missed their homeland all the time, focused and supported the construction and development of their country, dedicated to the education and laid a solid foundation for the development of school.

The Fujian Federation of Overseas Chinese mentioned in the congratulatory speech, that Fujian Polytechnic Normal University was founded because of overseas Chinese, and condensed the wisdom and hard work of a group of distinguished overseas Chinese, including Mr. Chen Zixing and Mr. Yu Changtan. The compilation of the Painting Biography of Chen Zixing and the Painting Biography of Yu Changtan fully embodied that a university could remember and pass on the old generation’s yearning and selfless spirit for their homeland. It was pointed out that FPNU could remain its original aspiration, stride towards its new journey and write its new chapter of high education in new era.

On behalf of Fuzhou Federation of Overseas Chinese, Deputy President Li Qinghua delivered a speech. He stated that Mr. Chen Zixing and Mr. Yu Changtan are exemplary among the elder overseas and we are touched by their patriotic spirit. Located in Fuqing, a famous hometown of overseas Chinese, FPNU is a university with distinctive characteristics of overseas Chinese. The compilation of the two biographies fully reflects the university’s memory and inheritance of the spirit of patriotism, love and selfless dedication of the older generation of overseas Chinese. It also demonstrates the feelings and determination of the university to carry forward the cause into future. He hoped that FPNU could inherit patriotic spirit, turn the characteristics of overseas Chinese into development advantage, foster more professional education faculty to the society and wrote new chapter of the development of high education in Fujian Province. He expressed that, Fuzhou Federation of Overseas Chinese would actively explore new working mode combining Overseas Chinese Federation, universities and alumni associations, and gather the strength of overseas Chinese to foster talent training and career development.

On behalf of Mr. Chen Zixing’s family, Mr. Chen Yuanshou expressed sincere thanks to the school and members of school writing team. He pointed out that school leaders attached great importance to the coordination between two schools and they regarded overseas Chinese culture as an significant part of campus culture, inherited and promoted spirit of overseas Chinese, and transferred blueprint of education made by Mr. Chen Zixing into reality. He stated that he would live up to his father and support the development of school education.

Entrusted by Ms. Yu Huazhen, Mr. Yu Li, the grandson of Mr. Yu Changtan, delivered a speech via video. He briefly reviewed the life story of Mr. Yu Changtan, expressed gratitude to the school for planning to publish the biographies of two education pioneers, and expressed good wishes to the school and Fuqing on behalf of his family.

Xue Feng, an alumnus, recalled his life in Qiaoxing Light Industry School in Fujian Province. He said Mr. Chen Zixing’s ethnicity and dedication to homeland had exerted profound influence on alumni. The publication of biography deeply touched and inspired alumni and they believed that they would gather strength and inject new impetus to the development of the school.

Chairman Chen Shihai, Secretary Lai Hairong, Deputy Chairman Li Qinghua and Chen Yuanshou jointly unveiled the Painting Biography of Mr. Chen Zixing.

Secretary Lai Hairong formally delivered the manuscript of the Painting Biography of Mr. Yu Changtan to assistant Lu Yaodong.

In 2021, the school fully made use of geographical features and disciplinary advantages and started the work of compiling biographies for Mr. Yu Changtan and Mr. Chen Zixing, two overseas Chinese who had made outstanding contributions to the school.

(Translated by Zheng Yunshuang/

Reviewed by Xu Qinliang)