Exhibition commemorating the epic relocation of universities opens in Fujian

A landmark exhibition commemorating the monumental relocation of Chinese universities during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945) has opened at Sanming University in Fujian Province. The event, which began over the weekend, is a collaborative effort involving over 40 universities across China and coincides with the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance and the World Anti-Fascist War. The exhibition vividly portrays the challenging journey of more than 150 universities that were forced to move to safer regions in southwestern, northwestern, central-southern, and eastern mountainous areas to safeguard China’s educational and cultural heritage during the war. Tang Tao, an expert from East China Normal University who contributed to the exhibition’s framework, emphasized the historical significance of this relocation, describing it as a pivotal chapter in China’s educational history. He highlighted the unique panoramic approach of the exhibition, which captures the nationwide scope and timeline of the relocations. Over the past eight decades, many universities have established memorials at their relocation sites to honor this legacy, but this exhibition stands out for its comprehensive narrative and collaborative effort.