Lin Shangyuan, 94, chairman of the Alumni Association of the Huangpu Military Academy, makes an opening speech at the the 120th anniversary of late premier Zhou Enlai's birth, held at Hong Kong Shue Yan University on Aug 11, 2018. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG — Graduates and descendants of graduates of the Huangpu (Whampoa) Military Academy gathered on Saturday in Hong Kong to honor the 120th anniversary of late premier Zhou Enlai’s birth, and the Huangpu Spirit.
Zhou carved out a system for military and political endeavors. He was an innovator who nurtured military talents for the KMT and the CPC
Lin Shangyuan, Chairman, Alumni Association of the Huangpu Military Academy
The Huangpu Spirit is a patriotic tradition, contributing to harmonious cross-Straits relations and the nation’s peaceful unification.
Zhou Enlai’s role was director of the political department at the Huangpu Military Academy, when the academy was established in 1924 – China’s first modern military school, in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.
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The Huangpu Military Academy cultivated first-class military officers. The academy produced graduates who became commanders in landmark conflicts, including the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
The academy also engendered cooperation between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Communist Party of China (CPC).
“During his time at the Academy, Zhou carved out a system for military and political endeavors. He was an innovator who nurtured military talents for the KMT and the CPC,” remembered Lin Shangyuan, 94, chairman of the Alumni Association of the Huangpu Military Academy.
Zhou Bingde, president of the Beijing-based Enlai Foundation and the niece of the late premier Zhou Enlai, says at the commemorative event that the Huangpu ethos is to bring China into unity. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
Zhou’s efforts laid the foundation for successful military campaigns including the Northern Expedition jointly performed by the KMT and the CPC to topple warlords, Lin added.
READ MORE: Zhou Enlai always held HK close to his heart
“The Huangpu ethos is to bring China to unity,” said Zhou Bingde, president of the Beijing-based Enlai Foundation. She is the niece of Zhou Enlai.
Only though reconciliation, can the nation achieve prosperity, stability, and enhanced well-being for the people, she added.
Lam Chaiping (first left, front row), the son of Huangpu Military Academy alumni Lin Shangyuan and chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Descendants of Huangpu Military Academy, take a group photo with the association’s three consultants. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
On July 13, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with the former chairman of the KMT, Lien Chan in Beijing. During the exchange, Xi called on compatriots across the Taiwan Straits to embrace the one-China principle, oppose "Taiwan independence" and deepen communication between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.
Xi’s vision resonates with the Huangpu spirit, to reconcile people across the Straits and to propel the nation into a unified, harmonious prospect, Lin said.
Ouyang Wei, professor of the National Defence University of the People’s Liberation Army, also the grandson of Tian Han (lyricist of China’s National anthem – “March of the Volunteers”), gives a lecture on early contributions of late premier Zhou Enlai to Huangpu (Whampoa) Military Academy. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
The commemoration was organized by the Hong Kong Association of Descendants of Huangpu Military Academy, a non-profit organization founded in Hong Kong in 2016. Its mission is to promote peaceful development of the Chinese nation.
President Xi Jinping’s visit to Hong Kong in July last year was the inspiration for organizing the event, said Lam Chaiping, chairman of the association. He is also the son of the academy alumni Lin Shangyuan.
Ye Xiangzhen (standing), daughter of late People’s Liberation Army Marshal and instructor of Huangpu Military Academy Ye Jianying, recollects experiences of her father at the academy during a discussion Saturday afternoon. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
“The importance of engaging the descendants is to pass on the Huangpu spirit, which unites people across the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao,” Lam told China Daily. “It comes down to the affections towards our nation, through reflection on history.”
About 200 people attended the event on Saturday, including Huangpu Military Academy alumni and their descendants, a representative of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, scholars, as well as different associations and young people in Hong Kong.
A total of 18 descendants of Huangpu Military Academy alumni share the accomplishments achieved by their ancestors. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)
