On December 27, 2017, the opening ceremony for the 10th TJU Congress of Party Representatives was held at the Peiyang Park Campus. The theme of the Congress is to learn and implement the spirits of the 19th CPC Congress, be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fulfill the purpose of a university to strengthen moral cultivation and nurture talent, adhere to "five always" (always go towards the right direction, always foster virtue through education, always serve the overall situation, always reform and innovate, and always maintain TJU character), deepen reforms towards first-class level on five fronts (deepening reform in education for first-rate talent, in personnel system for a world-class team, in resource allocation for first-class disciplines, in research for a world-class academic level, and in internal management for world-class milieu), pool resources for reform and innovation, embark on a new journey of building a world-class university with Chinese characteristics and TJU’s features, and contribute to the realization of the great Chinese Dream.

At the ceremony, Professor Li Jiajun, Secretary of the TJU Party Committee, delivered a report, “Pooling resources for reform and innovation, work hard to build a world-class university with Chinese characteristics”.

Professor Zhong Denghua, President of TJU, hosted the ceremony and explained the background of the Congress. Since the 19th CPC Congress affirmed that education is the bedrock of China’s revitalization and puts education development on the top of the agenda, TJU has been following a new road to build a prominent university. Thus, the congress is of special significance in building on existing achievements and ushering in a new era for development. It will exert a far-reaching influence on the construction of TJU in the new era.

TJU has received congratulations from over 80 universities including Peking, Tsinghua, Zhejiang, Tongji, Nanjing, Wuhan and Nankai University and the People’s University of China and multiple organizations of TJU.

Wang Hui, Head of the Department of College Student Affairs of the Ministry of Education, addressed the Congress, stressing that the TJU Party Committee should learn and act under the guidance of the thoughts of Xi Jinping , align the thinking of the faculty to the spirit of the decisions of the 19th CPC Congress, pool resources to tackle the major tasks assigned by the 19th CPC Congress, adhere to right directions, deepen reform, practice strict self-discipline and endeavor to build an eminent university.

Cheng Lihua, a member of the Standing Committee of Tianjin Municipality stated at the congress that as TJU enjoys a high reputation around the globe as the first modern university in China and boasts brilliant accomplishments, the Congress is significant in resolving difficulties, fostering new drivers for growth and realizing its strategic goals. She proposed requirements for TJU to follow, namely, strengthen moral education and cultivate talent, enhance the quality of school governance, serve the community and uphold the Party’s leadership.

Li Jiajun looked back on the 122-year history of TJU, summarized its achievements since the Ninth Congress of Party Representatives and pointed out the salient problems it encountered. He highlighted TJU’s mission to reinvigorate the nation through education and expounded on the “Three-step” Development Strategy. By 2020, TJU will finish building several world-class disciplines and become a high-level university renowned around the globe. By 2030, more disciplines will be ranked as world class. By 2045, when TJU celebrates its 150th anniversary, TJU will become a world-class university with Chinese characteristics and its own features on all fronts.

He pointed out the following five years is a crucial stage where TJU will cross the threshold of the first stage and enter into the second. He also underscored the importance of implementing the decisions of the 19th CPC Congress and called for the youth to harbor lofty dreams and shoulder responsibilities as TJU people.

Attendees of the congress are officials of Ministry of Education in China, Tianjin government, former and present TJU leaders, outstanding academicians, leaders of democratic parties and schools of TJU and prominent researchers and scientists.

After the opening ceremony, the representatives examined the draft of the Election Method of the 10th TJU Congress of Party Representatives.

Editors: Sun Xiaofang and Ross Colquhoun