The prestigious
Peking University
marked its 105th anniversary on Sunday, a date which coincided with
the 84th anniversary of the May 4th Movement.
The May 4th Movement was an anti-imperialist, anti-feudal
revolutionary movement led by students in 1919. The movement
signified the start of modern-era revolutionary activities in
China.
A
flag-raising ceremony, attended by 105 students, was held early on
Sunday morning.
Xu
Zhihong, the president of the university, called on the
university's students during his speech to contribute to the
on-going fight against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
epidemic and to strive harder still to make the university one of
the best institutions of higher learning in the world.
A
team of young volunteers and student leaders undertook a special
eight-hour action working alongside university guards stationed at
the three campus gates.
A
long-distance run drew more than 500 participants, and many
students wore placards bearing words of support for medical
personnel battling the SARS disease.
In
front of the Shaoyuan compound, which houses students from
overseas, dozens of foreign students staged a show of recitals and
musical instruments playing to entertain onlookers.
Moreover, a number of vivid displays were also staged to show the
university's achievements in education, and the association of
graduate students held a kite contest.
(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2003)