In the early morning of October 1st, the university held a flag-raising ceremony under the theme "One United Family of the Chinese Nation, Jointly Building the Chinese Dream" to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. University leaders Xu Yeqin, Liu Yi, and Li Hongyan, Standing Committee member of the University Party Committee and Head of the United Front Work Department Cai Qiong, heads of relevant functional departments and schools, along with over 2,000 representatives of teachers and students, gathered at the South Lake Sports Field to jointly celebrate the 76th birthday of our great motherland.
Teachers and students waving national flags. Photo by Hu Miao
At the event, a choir formation of 80 student representatives sang "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China." The number of participants symbolized the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, evoking collective memories of the Party and the nation's struggle among all teachers and students present.
80 students forming the choir.Photo by Chen Xiaoshan
The flag guard marched forth with uniform and resolute steps to escort the national flag. As the majestic national anthem played, all teachers and students stood solemnly, watching with respectful attention as the Five-Star Red Flag slowly rose. Following the flag-raising, student representatives from 56 ethnic groups mounted the stage together to recite "To the Motherland" in unison. Different hometown accents, united in sincere devotion, converged into a profound declaration of love for the great motherland. "It's also my birthday today, and I feel immensely honored to celebrate under the national flag alongside our motherland," said Gong Yudi, a lead reciter and undergraduate student from the Class of 2022 in the School of Mathematics and Statistics, filled with emotion. "I deeply understand that everyone's happiness is rooted in the soil of our homeland. A strong youth makes a strong country. In the future, I will strive to improve myself and grow together with our nation."
Scene at the Flag-Raising Ceremony.Photo by Hu Miao
Zhang Junxiao, a graduate student from the School of Ethnology and Sociology and head of the 26th Graduate Student Volunteer Teaching Team, delivered a speech under the national flag. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, he recalled his volunteer teaching days at Hoboksar County No. 1 Middle School in Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang. Looking to the future, he earnestly called upon everyone: "Let us join hands, courageously shoulder our historical mission, be of one heart with the Party, and strive following the Party, using our youthful wisdom and sweat to build an even better China!" The ceremony reached its climax with these resolute vows. Over 2,000 participants, with their youthful pledge of 'Rest Assured, Party; A Strong Country Depends on Me' and the Five-Star Red Flags waving in their hands, offered sincere wishes for the prosperity of the motherland. The ceremony concluded successfully in an atmosphere of great fervor.
Teacher and student representatives taking the pledge.Photo by Wang Yirui
The university has long attached great importance to ceremonial education, considering the flag-raising ceremony a crucial form of patriotic education for students and a means to strengthen the sense of the Chinese national community. Activities under the theme "Raise the Flag Daily, Sing the National Anthem Daily" are conducted regularly. This year's ceremony was meticulously designed around the themes of "promoting patriotic sentiment" and "advancing ethnic unity and progress." It served not only as an expression of respect and good wishes for the great motherland but also as a vivid 'major ideological and political lesson' in patriotism. It further inspired teachers and students to integrate their love for the Party, dedication to serving the country, and pride in the university into their daily lives, strengthening their resolve to contribute to the university's transformation and upgrading.
