Former Residence of Ma Yinchu in Hangzhou

Former Residence of Ma Yinchu in Hangzhou

The former residence of Ma Yinchu in Hangzhou is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The former residence of Ma Yinchu, located at No. 210 Qingchun Road, is a three-story brick-and-wood structure built in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era. Originally owned by Ma Xingzhu, it was later purchased by Ma Yinchu. The eminent scholar resided here intermittently in 1936, 1946, 1947, and from 1949 to 1951. During these years, Ma Yinchu authored over 20 articles including “Mutual Influence between Capitalism and Socialism” and “Learning from Comrades Such as Wang Ruofei.” He also delivered more than 20 speeches at institutions such as Zhejiang University and Shanghai Hujiang University, including “On the Current Economic Crisis” and “Economy and Democracy.” On June 13, 1946, Ma Yinchu gave a speech at a rally held jointly by over 20 schools in Hangzhou titled “Oppose Civil War, Oppose —,” and joined students in a march in the rain. On September 26, 1949, he was appointed the first president of Zhejiang University after the liberation. In September, he went to Beijing to attend the First National Political Consultative Conference, where he was elected as a member of the Central People’s Government Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Financial Committee, as well as Vice Chairman of the East China Military and Political Committee. On October 1, he participated in the founding ceremony of the People’s Republic of China. From November 16 to 22, 1950, Ma Yinchu attended the Second World Congress for the Defense of Peace in Warsaw, Poland, as a representative of China, and was elected as a member of the World Peace Council. During his tenure as president of Zhejiang University, Ma Yinchu presided over the university’s first all-staff representative assembly and initiated the first preparatory meeting of the “Zhejiang Higher Education Faculty Federation” held at Zhejiang University by four higher education institutions in Hangzhou. He was elected chairman of the “Higher Education Federation,” pioneering democratic school management. In May 1951, Ma Yinchu was appointed president of Peking University and left Hangzhou for Beijing. Thereafter, the building saw several changes in occupants, and since 1993 it has been used by the Zhejiang Provincial Research Institute of Culture and History. On October 24, 2000, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council replied in agreement to establish the Ma Yinchu Memorial Hall at the former residence. In July 2003, renovation, organization, and exhibition arrangement of the former residence began, and on September 22, 2004, the Ma Yinchu Memorial Hall was officially opened to the public.

Ma Yinchu (June 24, 1882 – May 10, 1982), courtesy name Yuanshan, was a renowned Chinese economist, educationist, and demographer of the modern era. A native of Shengzhou, Zhejiang, he once served in the Nanjing government. After the founding of New China, he held positions including Vice Chairman of the Central Financial and Economic Commission, Vice Chairman of the East China Military and Political Commission, Dean and Professor of the Business School at Chongqing University, Professor at Nanjing University, Professor at Beijing Jiaotong University, President of Peking University, and President of Zhejiang University. In 1957, he was labeled a rightist due to his advocacy of the “New Population Theory,” but was rehabilitated after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee... More details about Ma Yinchu ++