On September 16, Jilin University (JLU) held a ceremony at the Song Zhiping Gymnasium on the Central Campus to celebrate the university’s 80th anniversary. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, sent a congratulatory letter to mark the occasion and extended greetings to all faculty, staff, and alumni.
In his letter, Xi urged the university to carry forward the revolutionary traditions, leverage its comprehensive strengths, focus on the country's strategic needs, cultivate more high-caliber talent, and make greater contributions to the full revitalization of the Northeast in the new era and to advancing Chinese modernization.
Chen Xiaoguang, Vice Chairman of the 12th and 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, attended the ceremony. Huang Qiang, Secretary of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of Jilin Provincial People’s Congress, read General Secretary Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter and delivered remarks. Tian Hui, Secretary of the CPC Jilin University Committee, presided over the ceremony, while President Zhang Xi presented a report on the university’s development.
Huang Qiang noted that General Secretary Xi’s congratulatory letter reflects the strong support and high expectations of the CPC Central Committee for Jilin University. He said the letter represents an important milestone in the university’s history and will inspire faculty and students to continue working toward revitalization of Jilin Province and the university future development. He also emphasized the importance of carefully studying and implementing the message of the letter, making full use of Jilin University’s academic strengths, improving the quality of education, and building on the university’s achievements as it enters a new stage of development.
On behalf of the CPC Jilin Provincial Committee, the Standing Committee of Jilin Provincial People’s Congress, Jilin Provincial People’s Government and Jilin Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Huang Qiang extended warm congratulations to all Jilin University faculty, staff and alumni in China and abroad. He noted that over eight decades, Jilin University has grown alongside the nation and Jilin Province, overcoming challenges and achieving significant progress.. He described its development history represents a chronicle of cultivating talents for the Party and the country, a record of striving forward under the motto “Man rises higher than mountains; footsteps stretch longer than roads”, and a journey of pursuit under the university ethos of “Seeking Truth, Pursuing Innovation, Aspiring for Diligence and Striving for Prosperity”. He added that the university should reflect carefully on achievements of its past and consider how best to respond to future opportunities and challenges.
Tian Hui stated that the congratulatory letter reflects the CPC Central Committee’s strong support for Jilin University’s faculty, students and alumni, its recognition of the university’s achievements, and the high expectations for JLU’s future development. He said the letter provides guidance for the university as it works towards becoming a world-class university with Chinese characteristics.. He noted that the letter greatly encouraged the university community. Jilin University will continue to uphold the “Two Establishments” and implement the “Two Maintenances”, while treating the study and implementation of the letter’s message as an important political task. The university will remain committed to its mission, further improve its disciplinary structure, raise the quality of teaching and research, and cultivate more highly qualified graduates and professionals. Tian added that Jilin University will continue working toward its goal of becoming a world-class university with Chinese characteristics and make greater contributions to the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China and to China’s modernization.
Zhang Xi presented a report on Jilin University’s development. He noted that JLU is a national key comprehensive university in the Northeast founded by the Communist Party of China. Over the past 80 years, the university has unswervingly followed the Party, committed to its founding mission, built a strong academic foundation, educated generations of outstanding students, and achieved significant research results. It has contributed to national development, social progress, and people’s wellbeing, leaving an important mark on China’s higher-education history and fulfilling its mission of revitalizing the north and serving the nation. From the new starting point of its 80th anniversary, JLU will follow the guidance of the congratulatory letter and remain committed to its educational mission. The university will continue exploring its own distinctive path toward a world class university with Chinese characteristics, cultivate a new generation of graduates capable of shouldering national development, and align its strengths with major national priorities. JLU will also work to attract outstanding scholars and professionals from China and abroad, strengthen innovation while building on its existing strengths, and provide greater educational and research support for Chinese modernization. Through continued high-quality development, the university aims to further contribute to the revitalization of Northeast China, national development, and national rejuvenation.
Qiu Yong delivered remarks on behalf of peer universities and extended congratulations to Jilin University. He noted JLU has developed a distinctive revolutionary heritage and strong academic traditions since its founding. He reflected on the profound friendship between Tsinghua University and Jilin University, recalling distinguished scholars such as Zhu Guangya and Tang Aoqing and fruitful cooperation across multiple fields. Looking ahead, he said that Tsinghua University is ready to work with Jilin University and other partner institutions to strengthen their leading role in higher education, promote the integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning, expand international educational cooperation, and contribute to national development and broader human progress.
Paul Mazerolle, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, delivered remarks on behalf of international partner universities. He highlighted Jilin University’s accomplishments in education, research and international collaboration, praising its strong research capabilities, broad academic reach, and growing international reputation. He also emphasized the value of the partnership between the two universities and commended JLU’s continued commitment to development, innovation, research and global engagement in a rapidly changing world. Looking ahead, he expressed that universities in China and Australia would work together to addressglobal challenges such as climate change, food security, sustainable agriculture, energy transition and technological innovation, while bringing together expertise, ideas, and diverse perspectives.
Zhao Dongyuan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor at Fudan University delivered remarks on behalf of alumni in China and abroad, offering sincere blessings to his alma mater. He reflected on his study years of study at Jilin University and the guidance he received from his mentors, notingthat the university provided him with a strong academic foundation, intellectual inspiration and lasting personal values. He said that JLU helped shape him into a person of integrity, kindness and responsibility to society and the country. Zhao added that the experience of every JLU graduate embodies the university’s educational traditions and values, and their collective achievements represent contributions to its alumni, to the Party, to the nation and to humanity.
Sun Zhenyu, Senior Professor of Philosophy and Social Sciences at Jilin University, spoke as a faculty representative, reflecting nearly five decades of study and teaching at the university. He noted that university teachers shoulder the important responsibility to share knowledge, encourage thoughtful inquiry, and help shape the development of future generations. To inspire curiosity, strengthen critical thinking and broaden their intellectual horizons. He emphasized that educators should remain committed to professional integrity, connect teaching with research, and continually update their knowledge and methods. Sun also encouraged faculty to draw on both historical and contemporary ideas, pursue innovative approaches to scholarship, contribute to the development of an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences, and work together to advance Jilin University’s educational mission.
Hartmut Michel, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and full-time professor at Jilin University, addressed the ceremony. He noted that an anniversary is not only an opportunity to reflect but also a time to look toward the future. Michel praised Jilin University’s openness and its extensive partnerships with universities, research institutes and scientists around the world. He emphasized that these relationships are built on shared scientific interests, mutual trust and genuine collaboration. He also noted that science is inherently international and that progress relies on communication, exchange, and mutual learning. Universities, he said, should firmly uphold communication and cooperation, for science advances through discussion, debate, critical inquiry and sharing of ideas.
Before the formal ceremony, the University Art Troupe presented a series of performances, including staged vocal works and symphonic chorus, to celebrate the university’s anniversary. Faculty representatives Liu Bingbing, Fang Shaokun, and Wu Dajing; alumnus Lin Baojun; Liu Cai, representing the Huang Danian-style Teaching Team; and student representatives from the Gspeed Formula Racing Team also participated in interviews.They shared their memories and experiences at Jilin University, reflected on the relationships between teachers and students, and looked forward to the university’s promising future.
Leading officials and guests from Jilin Provincial and Changchun municipal authorities, peer universities and research institutions at home and abroad, descendants of JLU’s pioneering figures, alumni, faculty and students, and people from all sectors concerned about the university’s development gathered at the event to celebrate the 80-year glory of Jilin University.
