On May 15, the Grand Celebration for the 130th Anniversary of Southwest Jiaotong University was held at the gymnasium on the Xipu Campus, bringing together distinguished dignitaries, esteemed guests, representatives from peer institutions at home and abroad, global alumni, and the university’s faculty, staff, and students.

During the warm-up session, students performed three songs: “No. 999 Xi’an Road,” “Believe We Will Create Miracles,” and “I Love You, China,” and the familiar melodies evoked cherished memories among all present. Reflecting the collective sentiment that “across mountains and rivers our original aspirations remain unchanged and from every corner of the world we are bound by ties to Jiaotong University”, representatives from various alumni associations entered the venue in succession. Subsequently, the university flag, which had completed a year-long relay across 66 cities and regions around the globe, returned to the alma mater and completed its final handover on site.

At 9:00 a.m., the ceremony commenced with the solemn playing of the national anthem. 

On the occasion of 130th anniversary of the Jiaotong Universities, the faculty, staff, and students submitted a joint letter to General Secretary Xi Jinping, reporting on their 130-year history of progress and expressing their firm determination to serve national rejuvenation. On April 7, General Secretary Xi Jinping sent a reply letter addressing the entire community across the four Jiaotong Universities.

Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, Xu Qingsen extended warm congratulations on the 130th anniversary of the university. He noted that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s historic reply letter to the faculty and students of the four Jiaotong Universities underscores the CPC Central Committee’s profound commitment to higher education and reflects its deep care for the institution. Xu urged the university to comprehend the profound significance and fulfill the practical requirements of the reply, carry forward the Westward Relocation Spirit, and unswervingly foster virtue through education to enhance independent talent cultivation. Furthermore, he stressed the need to better serve major national strategies and regional development, making new contributions toward building China’s strength in education, science, technology, and talent.

Entrusted by Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Shi Xiaolin, Governor of the People’s Government of Sichuan Province, delivered warm congratulations on the university on its 130th anniversary on behalf of the provincial leadership and expressed gratitude for the support received from all sectors of society.

China State Railway Group and the university have maintained a long-standing and close partnership, characterized by extensive cooperation in mission-critical research, talent cultivation, and major project development. On behalf of China Railway, Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group Wang Jinxi offered heartfelt congratulations to the university’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni worldwide.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Southwest JIaotong University share the historic mission of building world-class universities with Chinese characteristics. On behalf of SJTU, President Ding Kuiling conveyed his deepest respect and warm congratulations to the university. Representing Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), President Zhang Liqun offered sincere congratulations on the university’s 130th anniversary. Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) and Southwest Jiaotong University share a common lineage tracing back to the founding of the Imperial Chinese Railway College in 1896. Speaking for BJTU, Party Secretary Chen Ziji delivered earnest congratulations and warmest wishes. President West, on behalf of the University of Leeds, presented her warmest congratulations to the university, stating that Leeds takes immense pride in its decade-long strategic partnership with Southwest Jiaotong University.

Hosting the celebration, Yu Minming, Party Secretary of the University, expressed his warmest welcome and heartfelt gratitude to the dignitaries, guests, friends from all sectors, as well as to the faculty, students and alumni for their longstanding support. He stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important reply letter had set clear expectations for the university’s future and inspired all the faculty and students. In the future, the university will continue to follow Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, take the spirit of the letter as its guiding principle, and align its mission with Chinese modernization, accelerating its development into a world-class high-level research university with distinctive transportation characteristics.

Yan Xuedong, President of the University, delivered a report on the university’s development entitled “Cultivating Talent for 130 years, Rejuvenating the Nation for a Brighter Future.” Marking the milestone of the university’s 130th anniversary, Yan emphasized that, upholding the spirit of the important reply letter, the university shall adhere to the tenets of “Pursuing Substantive Scholarship and Performing Substantive Service”, carry forward the Westward Relocation Spirit, stay focused on the country’s major strategic needs, and usher in a new chapter in developing China into a leading country in education, science and technology, and talent cultivation. He added that the university should strive for greater breakthroughs in five critical areas: promoting high-quality development through high-quality Party leadership; strengthening the institutional foundations of a first-class university; boosting scientific and technological innovation; elevating the caliber of independent talent cultivation; and deepening the integration of industry, academia, and research.

Representing the global alumni community, Cai Qinghua, former Vice Minister of the former Ministry of Railways and a student of 1965 from the Department of the Bridge and Tunnel Engineering, delivered a deeply moving address.

Guests watched a commemorative video chronicling the decades of dedication and hard work of fourteen academicians who emerged from the university’s faculty and alumni. The footage was interspersed with heartfelt wishes from the community: “May our alma mater always stand at the forefront,” and “May our alma mater embark on a glorious new chapter for its 130th anniversary.” While the film captured their steadfast commitment to rigorous scholarship and patriotic devotion, every blessing conveyed a deep gratitude for the university.

“Inheriting a 130-year legacy and firmly embracing its mission, the university has forged unyielding spirit through decades of trials,” declared a collective tribute by young faculty and student representatives. “The new generation of SWJTUers stands poised and ready to forge ahead. Guided by the university’s spirit and ideals, they strive forward with unwavering commitment”. This resounding oath is a vivid testament to the courage and responsibility of SWJTUers in the new era.

Led by the University Student Art Troupe Choir, all attendees rose to their feet and joined in singing the University Anthem “Uniformity Leads to Universality”.

“In Tangshan,

intellectuals gather.

In great esteem

our college is held,

disseminating cultural heritage through communion.

Mining, metallurgy

and civil engineering,

we pursue the wisdoms

home and abroad,

and perseverance enables us to reach the peak.”

The ceremony featured a congratulatory video, in which alumni from across the world expressed their heartfelt wishes for their Alma Mater’s 130th anniversary. As warm and sincere congratulations swelled through the venue, the celebration ceremony came to a successful close.