Be Young People with Spirit, Roots, Actions, and Inclusiveness in the New Era
---- Commencement Address at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine 2024 Graduation Ceremony
(June 2024)
Wang Wei, Professor, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, and President of the University
Distinguished national TCM master Zhou Daihan, professor Ouyang Huiqing, esteemed teachers, parents of graduates, and graduates of the Class of 2024:
Hello everyone!
As you embark on your new journey, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on behalf of all faculty and staff to the 4,860 graduates on your successful completion of your studies! I also wish to express my highest respect and sincere gratitude to the teachers and parents who have devotedly guided and nurtured you!
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 100th anniversary of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (GZUCM). Since your enrollment, you have witnessed significant historical moments, such as the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. You have experienced the realization of the millennium dream of poverty alleviation, the establishment of a moderately prosperous society, and the historical intersection of the "Two Centenary Goals." You have also experienced the rapid development of university as a “Double First Class” university and a key construction university for high-level universities. Dear graduates, you are direct participants, witnesses, and contributors to these moments. This is your fortune and happiness in life.
In recent years, the university has optimized its discipline layout and integrated its resources, forming an advantageous discipline group with the construction of a first-class discipline in Chinese medicine at its core. The number of ESI disciplines ranks first among universities of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nationwide. Several national platforms have been approved for construction, and the influence and reach of our affiliated hospitals continue to grow. Together with all faculty and students, you have painted a magnificent picture of GZUCM's century-long legacy and future prospects with your sweat and hard work. The university thanks you!
Over the years, you have received numerous awards in various competitions: Yan Qian, recognized as a "National Upstanding Youth"; Ni Shihao, honored as the "Stars of Self-improvement of Chinese College Students" and the "Model Graduate Party Member among National Universities"; Li Guoming, a talented youth involved in promoting and applying artemisinin-based malaria treatments in countries along the “Belt and Road Initiative”; Yan Jiali, dedicated to western China's development; Cai Ximin, a national champion in sports competitions; and Dilara Eniwar and Kaiweiser Tursun, recipients of the first prize in Guangdong Province's "Love in Guangdong" ethnic unity education activities. While achieving personal growth, you have brought honors to university, and for that, we are immensely proud!
As you embark on new journeys in life and open new chapters, please hold steadfast to your original aspirations and beliefs. Use the principles of "Eight Principles of Diagnosis" to grasp the pulse of the times, follow the tide of the era, and integrate continuity and change, becoming youth of the new era characterized by spirit, roots, action, and inclusiveness.
We hope you will become youth of the new era with “spirit”. Spirit is thought, the banner of progress. As youth of the new era, forge your spirit with the innovative theories of the Party, its worldview, and methodology. Use the wisdom of TCM to guide your path in life and contribute to the steady progress of life. Spirit is also determination, the belief in striving. Without spirit, a person cannot stand, and without spirit, a country cannot be strong. Our university's motto "True sages govern countries well and enlighten the people with foresight" and "Enriching morality and learning, serving the world with sincerity" demonstrates a sincere and passionate heart for China. You must bear in mind the responsibilities and missions entrusted by the times, closely link personal destiny with national destiny, integrate personal ideals into the love of health and contribute to the construction of a healthy China and the enhancement of people's health and well-being.
We hope you will become youth of the new era with “roots”. TCM is our root and the fundamental basis for our survival. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "Traditional Chinese medicine is a treasure of Chinese civilization." You must consciously shoulder the heavy responsibility of inheriting the culture of TCM, pass on this treasure well, accelerate the modernization and industrialization of TCM, and promote its internationalization. Our university's artemisinin anti-malaria medical team, honored with the 28th "China Youth May Fourth Medal Collective" title, has promoted and applied the "Chinese Solution" created by TCM wisdom to more than 10 countries overseas, receiving honors and medals from multiple countries. They embody the ideals and aspirations of rooting in TCM and benefiting human health, serving as role models for young people in the new era. GZUCM is your root and spiritual home. Here, you have spent the best years of your youth, nurturing ideals, building knowledge, cultivating character, and forging friendships. Wherever you go and whatever position you hold, you must always remember that you are part of GZUCM. Stepping out of it, you will face a world full of opportunities and challenges, welcoming a colorful life full of unlimited hope and possibilities. GZUCM will always stand shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart with you, forever caring for you and supporting you!
We hope you become youth of the new era with “actions”. Action is the fundamental path to realizing ideals and goals. It requires expanding knowledge and insights. Only with profound knowledge and broad perspectives can you achieve your life goals. In today's society, where knowledge is advancing rapidly, the spirit of enjoying learning and the ability to continually learn will never become outdated. Cultivate the habit of continuous learning, become creators of knowledge and providers of value. How to use advanced technologies like big data, artificial intelligence, and modern biology to promote innovation in TCM is a significant challenge before us. Aim high, plan broadly, gather great wisdom; pursue novelty and quality, embark on great paths, and establish great accomplishments. Action also requires willpower and persistence. Without ambition, one cannot stand; without perseverance, nothing can be achieved. Our Student Union's "Renhe Aid, Qihuang Inheritance" TCM popularization project, rooted in the Lingnan characteristic culture of TCM, has persisted for 22 years, serving over 100,000 people, and has had significant social effects and positive social feedback. Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach great distances; without accumulating small streams, one cannot become rivers and seas. We must always maintain a strong will and a positive attitude, remain steadfast, temper our character, cultivate skills, overcome difficulties, achieve transformation from within to without, and add a touch of charm to youth.
We hope you become youth of the new era with “inclusiveness”. “The difficulty of ambition lies not in surpassing others but in surpassing oneself”. To remain calm and composed is a rare life attitude. Nowadays, society is fiercely competitive, and workplace "burnout" is a reflection of reality. You must correctly handle the relationship between ideals and reality. It is not advisable to lie down and do nothing, nor is it possible to win without effort. Maintain idealism, be grounded in reality, keep a calm mind, and approach people and events around you rationally. Strive to achieve the state where you are not surprised by favor or disgrace, calmly witnessing the ebb and flow of life; indifferent to staying or leaving, gazing at the clouds dispersing and gathering in the sky. Openness and inclusiveness represent a higher realm of life. "Great enough to accommodate all, virtuous enough to embrace the distant." In this era advocating cooperation and win-win outcomes, unity, cooperation, and mutual tolerance are crucial conditions for success and fundamental qualities of being a good person. The late revolutionary leader Marshal Xu Xiangqian highly praised our late national TCM master Professor Deng Tietao, saying he was "selfless and broad-minded from the bottom of his heart." Only by embracing all rivers can we grow ourselves, complete others, and achieve great careers.
Dear graduates, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has outlined a magnificent blueprint for promoting the comprehensive revitalization of the Chinese nation in a Chinese way, and sounded the horn for the high-quality development of TCM. The health industry has entered a new era.
Embark on the journey, toward the future, galloping across the magnificent mountains and rivers; cross the seas, go to the land of China, and stir up youthful dreams. We hope you continue to maintain the attitude of striving for excellence, weathering storms to see rainbows, smoothing out obstacles to create paths, and striving to become innovative talents with both patriotic sentiments and a global vision, possessing both intellectual and action capabilities. Strive to be youth of the new era with spirit, roots, action, and inclusiveness, seizing opportunities of the times with full spirit, firmly believing in cultural self-confidence, contributing to the construction of a healthy China, and striving to write a magnificent chapter in China's modernization!
We will not say goodbye, only await our reunion. On the occasion of the centennial celebration of our alma mater, I extend a sincere invitation to all alumni of GZUCM: Let's reminisce about our student days, express gratitude to our teachers, and plan our future together. Let's celebrate the centennial of our alma mater and look forward to your participation!
Best wishes for your promising future, and may you return as youthful as ever!
Thank you all!
