Peking University, Nov.30, 2011: In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of China’s 1911 Revolution, Peking University (PKU) and Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI) jointly hosted the "Looking Back a Hundred Years" stamp exhibition in PKU Library. The opening ceremony was held on the morning of November 24.

The Ribbon-cutting Ceremony

A whole century has passed since the 1911 Revolution took place. People from both sides of the strait celebrated the 100th anniversary with a great variety of activities. The jointly hosted stamp exhibition was unique in its form in the Chinese Mainland. Meanwhile, the act showed the university’s sense of responsibility in promoting traditional Chinese culture. 

The exhibition was divided into six parts, which accounted in detail the 1911 Revolution’s historical significance, its tortuous process and its achievements, its leader Sun Yat-sen’s life, the inheritance of its democratic spirit, and so on. 

Among the exhibited stamps were those issued in the initial period of the Republic of China, including precious and commemorative stamps of the “Recovery” and the establishment of the Republic. Also displayed were the portrait stamps of famous leaders and heroes of the 1911 Revolution, issued in 1949 by China Post, Hongkong Post, and Macau Post. In addition, the stamps issued on October 10th this year were also on show. These stamps from different periods in history formed a poignant memory of the past, reflecting the pains and efforts of the former generation in their persistent attempts to realize the dream of independence and democracy. 

PKU Executive Vice President Wu Zhipan noted in his speech the significance of the exhibition held at PKU. As the first comprehensive university in modern China, fate of PKU has been intertwined breathed the same breath with that of the Chinese nation, and throughout the century, the university has advanced with the times.. In this sense, PKU is unique. It was right after the 1911 Revolution that PKU changed its  name from “Imperial University of Peking” to the current one, striding into a new era of academic research and the nurturing of talents. Under the influence of the fresh thoughts and expectations brought about by the revolution, many PKU teachers and students became key figures in the New Democratic Revolution and other progressive social movements. 

In honor of this fine tradition, Professor Wu Zhipan hoped to encourage PKU students to make their own contributions to the country in the promising future.
 

Prof. Wu Zhipan communicates with the guests.

MPI Deputy Dean Yin Lei expressed his hope of a further cooperation with PKU so as to push forward the inheritance and innovation of Chinese culture.

After the display at PKU, the exhibits would be removed to Macau and meet the public from November 30 to December 2.

Written by: Yan Binghan
Edited by: Arthars
Source: PKU News (Chinese)