The inauguration ceremony for the Center for Literary Writing and Research, Tsinghua University, was held at Tsinghua on the morning of June 20th. Tie Ning, President of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Writers Association, Qiu Yong, President of Tsinghua University, Wang Xiqin, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Mo Yan, Nobel Laureate in Literature and Vice President of the China Writers Association, and famous writers, poets and scholars including Han Shaogong, Liu Cixin, Li Tuo, Zhang Qinghua, Xi Chuan, Ouyang Jianghe and Hao Jingfang attended the ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by Deng Wei, Vice Chairperson of the University Council.

In his address, President Qiu expressed his hope that the Center for Literary Writing and Research would carry forward Tsinghua’s teaching philosophy of “bridging China and the West, connecting ancient and modern, and encompassing arts and science”, become a first-class literary research base and an important platform for the interaction and exchange between Chinese and foreign cultures, strive to train more excellent young talents, create great works worthy of the times, and present diverse aspects of Tsinghua University and the ever-changing Chinese society.

Tie Ning, on behalf of the China Writers Association, congratulated the University on the establishment of the Center for Literary Writing and Research. She expressed the hope that the China Writers Association would conduct more in-depth cooperation with the center in the coming years.

Mo Yan, Honorary Director of the Center for Literary Writing and Research, Tsinghua University, noted that this year marks the 90th anniversary of Zhu Ziqing’s essay “Moonlight over the Lotus Pond”. Over ninety years, “Moonlight over the Lotus Pond”, with its fine sentiments, has moved numerous readers and exerted inestimable literary influence. Mo Yan said that universities should attach more importance to the balanced development of humanities and sciences. He also thanked Tsinghua University for its efforts in promoting the development of the humanities and literature. 

Before the ceremony, Qiu Yong, Deng Wei and Wang Xiqin held brief talks with the writers, poets and scholars participating in the ceremony.

The Center for Literary Writing and Research, Tsinghua University (THULWR) is an important step in promoting the development of humanities at Tsinghua. It is dedicated to literary research and producing original works from a global cultural perspective, providing guidance and assistance to Tsinghua students with a strong interest in literature, and assisting in a greater promotion of the humanities in Tsinghua. It will strive to become a supportive platform for the mutual learning, exchange and sharing of Chinese and foreign literary circles.