Speech by Dean Men Honghua

At the Opening Ceremony for Postgraduates of 2019 of the 

School of Political Science & International Relations

As the weather starts to cool off in September, the autumn is coming. Talents across the country are gathering at Tongji University. Today, we are here to solemnly hold the opening ceremony for postgraduate freshmen of 2019 of the School of Political Science & International Relations. On behalf of the Party and executive team and the faculty and students of the School, I'd like to welcome you to become a part of Tongji!

The spring water overbrims the streams; and the autumn moon sheds brilliant. This is a season of harvest and a season of delight. In 2019, as New China celebrates its 70th birthday, our School has just turned 10 years old. In recent years, we have set a research direction featuring governance & strategy, and made positive progress in institutional improvement, talent cultivation, scientific research, social services and international exchange, etc. On January 8, 2018, the first-level discipline doctoral program in political science was established upon approval. On July 5, 2018, the Tongji Base for Research on International Cyberspace Governance was established upon approval of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) & the Ministry of Education (MOE), becoming the first national research base for the liberal arts of Tongji University. In June 2019, the School was listed as one of the first colleges under the 'Three All-round Education' comprehensive reform pilot projects in Tongji, starting a new journey for its international development. Many of the milestone achievements show that the discipline of political science at Tongji has risen, and our School is growing into a center for China’s strategic studies and political science. Therefore, it is your harvest celebration today and it is also a ceremony to mark the new start of our School.

The Book of Changes said, 'We look at the ornamental figures of the sky, and thereby ascertain the changes of the seasons. We look at the ornamental observances of society, and understand how the processes of transformation are accomplished all under heaven.' Across the boundaries of time and space, every student of our School has the responsibility to think about the present and the future historically and think about the China & world relations against a global backdrop. Lao Tzu wrote: 'The effect will be seen in the person, by the observation of different cases; in the family; in the neighborhood; in the state; and in the kingdom.' At present, China's peaceful development and world transformation go hand in hand, unfolding a new strategic era.

'There is no state of peace that is not liable to be disturbed, and no departure so that there shall not be a return.' Change is a constant theme. Mankind is facing a world in which the situation is more complex, the changes are more profound, and opportunities and challenges coexist. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “The world today is undergoing the greatest changes in a century. We live in a changing world full of new opportunities and challenges. The international system and order are undergoing profound adjustments, with the balance of power shifting in favor of peace and development.' Since 2008, the international situation has experienced the most profound and complex changes after the end of the Cold War. From the beginning of the global financial crisis, the world political and economic pattern is changing rapidly; the major-country relations are full of twists and turns; the power shift and the reshaping of the international order continue to accelerate; and the trends of the times such as economic globalization and world multipolarization comes back and forth. Mankind is once again standing at the crossroads of destiny.

 The Chinese nation is achieving great rejuvenation amid the greatest changes unseen in a century. Standing at the historical height of combining the broad picture of the national renewal and the once-in-a-century change in the world, Chinese policy-makers have proposed the world ideal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and solemnly declared to the world that China will join hands with other countries to shoulder the important task of global governance instead of being concerned only for itself in the midst of global changes.

The Book of Poetry said, 'The capital district a thousand li square; the people dwelt therein.' If fulfilling the global responsibility is an opportunity for today’s China, it will then be the historical mission of Chinese intellectuals to work for a better future of China and the world at large. It is their mission 'to ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the people, to continue the lost teachings of past sages, and to establish peace for all future generations', as quoted Zhang Zai, a famous thinker and educator in the Northern Song Dynasty. This is the belief with which Tongji University has continued for more than a century. During the 100-plus years, Tongji has shared weal and woe with the country. 'Growing with the motherland and benefiting mankind with science and education' is a goal that Tongji teachers and students pursue in a whole life. From now on, I hope you can uphold the Tongji Spirit, the reflection of the great spirit of the Chinese nation in social science research, and carry forward the national ideal and world ideal of the times. On behalf of the teachers of our School, I have the following expectations of you:

First, never cease learning. Students should take study as the top priority. Lao Tzu said: 'He who devotes himself to learning seeks from day to day to increase his knowledge; he who devotes himself to the Dao seeks from day to day to diminish his doing.' Both extensive and intensive reading is required. As you major in social sciences, you should also take into account studies of humanities and natural sciences. To read widely helps you build an open knowledge system, pursue cross-disciplinary integration, and improve your personality in the observation of the world. As written in the 'Encouraging Learning' by Xuncius, 'A noble person who studies widely and examines himself each day will become clear in his knowledge and faultless in his conduct.' Once you have an accumulation of knowledge, you also need to learn to be concentrated and build core competence in the field you are passionate about. This is the only way to make learning simple and easy.

Second, improve yourself and be persistent. Xuncius said that the heaven has its change of time, the earth has its material resources, and mankind has its own method of governance. It's better to master and utilize the law of nature than obeying and praising it. The Chinese nation advocates maximizing the people's abilities on the basis of conforming to objective laws in order to achieve the ultimate perfection and unity between man and nature. Such a state cannot be achieved in a short time or limited to a realm. In your later study life, you should have both ambition and perseverance. Remember that all efforts will be rewarded; and like the finest diamond must be cut, adversity is the fuel for success.

Third, have a good heart and awe-inspiring spirit. I hope you will be candid with others and yourself, and love your family and the country. I hope you will value your mental and physical health, be grateful to your parents and teachers for their hard work, cherish the time spent together with your classmates, and abide by the rules and regulations of academic institutions. I hope you will have an open mind, broad vision and exploring spirit, and realize the value of life by contributing to the society.

What's past is prologue. Yesterday’s efforts have been rewarded with applause, and tomorrow’s success can only be earned with sweat. As teachers, we stand ready to nurture your dreams and aspirations, look forward to your new start here, and wish you success in every step you take.

Thank you!