This year marks the 1050th anniversary of the founding of Yuelu Academy and the 100th anniversary of the official naming of Hunan University.

On October 16, the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Hunan University was solemnly held in the gymnasium on the main campus. President Xi Jinping extended congratulations to the faculty, students and alumni of Hunan University as it marks its 100th anniversary.

President Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the university. He urged the university to carry forward fine revolutionary traditions, continue to elevate the quality and levels of its teaching, and strive to nurture more talent who can apply their knowledge to practical affairs, so as to make new contributions to building China into an education powerhouse and advancing Chinese modernization.

Central and provincial leaders attending the ceremony included: Zheng Jianbang, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK); Shen Xiaoming, secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People's Congress; Mao Weiming, deputy secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and governor of Hunan Province; and Mao Wanchun, chairperson of the CPPCC Hunan Provincial Committee.

Also present were leaders from relevant national ministries and commissions, leaders of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and the Hunan Provincial People's Government, leaders of the CPC Changsha Municipal Committee and the Changsha Municipal People's Government, former leaders of the university, officials from relevant departments (units) directly under the provincial government and from various cities and autonomous prefecture of Hunan Province, heads from sister universities, research institutes and enterprises, representatives of secondary schools and media outlets, as well as representatives of Hunan University's retired faculty and staff, alumni, and faculty and students.

Sister universities and cooperative partners sent congratulatory letters and telegrams, and alumni at home and abroad extended their best wishes in various forms.

Deng Wei, secretary of the CPC Hunan University Committee, presided over the ceremony. President Duan Xianzhong delivered a report on the development of the university.

At 10:00 am, the ceremony opened with the majestic National Anthem. (Photo/Tong Zhenxi, Hunan Daily)

Shen Xiaoming, secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People's Congress, reads out President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter and addresses the ceremony. (Photo/Tong Zhenxi, Hunan Daily)

Deng Wei, secretary of the CPC Hunan University Committee, delivers a speech.

President Duan Xianzhong delivers a report on the development of Hunan University.

Yang Zhenbin, secretary of the CPC Shanghai Jiao Tong University Committee, delivers a speech as a representative of sister universities.

Hu Wenping, president of Xiamen University and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, speaks as an alumni representative.

Luo An, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at the College of Electrical and Information Engineering of Hunan University, speaks as a faculty representative.

The ceremony featured a special segment to pay tribute to senior faculty representatives who have made outstanding contributions to the university's development. Student representatives presented flowers to the senior professors, with warm applause erupting across the gymnasium to express the highest respect for the generations of predecessors and teachers who have poured their hearts into their work, toiled quietly, and contributed selflessly to the university's development.

Student representatives delivered a tribute address on site, and young students made a resounding pledge—keep in mind President Xi's instructions, carry forward the academic lineage of the thousand-year-old Yuelu Academy, put what they have learned into practice across the motherland, shoulder the mission of the times with the power of youth, and strive to revitalize the Chinese nation and bring glory to China.

To the melodious strains of the university anthem, the ceremony came to a successful conclusion.