Former Site of National Southwestern Associated University

The former site of the National Southwestern Associated University is today’s Yunnan Normal University. The university was composed of National Peking University, National Tsinghua University, and Private Nankai University.

Former Site of National Southwestern Associated University

The former site of the National Southwestern Associated University is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The National Southwestern Associated University was jointly established by Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University in Tianjin. The three universities initially relocated to Hunan and formed the Changsha Temporary University, beginning classes on November 17, 1937. This date was later designated as the university’s anniversary. As the Japanese invaders advanced and the situation in Changsha became critical, the three universities moved to Kunming, Yunnan.

The former site of the National Southwestern Associated University is located on Beimen Street in the old city area of Kunming, Yunnan Province. Within the site stands the “National Southwestern Associated University Monument,” inscribed in seal script by Wen Yiduo. The inscription was written by Feng Youlan and details how Japanese imperialism, especially since the First Sino-Japanese War in 1894 and particularly after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937, invaded China on a large scale. Under these circumstances, National Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Private Nankai University were forced to relocate southward to Kunming, where they jointly established the National Southwestern Associated University, offering colleges in sciences, engineering, liberal arts, law, commerce, and education. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the university returned on May 4, 1946.

The “National Southwestern Associated University Monument” stands in the northeast corner of the campus. Erected in 1946 on May 4th—the eve of the university's dissolution and the return of Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University to the north—this monument commemorates the legacy of the university. The text was written by Feng Youlan, Dean of the College of Arts at the National Southwestern Associated University, the title seal was inscribed by Wen Yiduo, Professor of Chinese Literature, and the calligraphy was done by Luo Yong, also a Professor of Chinese and Head of the Department. It is thus hailed as a modern “Three Wonders Monument.” The monument features a majestic structure, powerful calligraphy, eloquent text, deep meaning, and grand momentum, holding significant historical, artistic, and literary value.

As a historical witness to the National Southwestern Associated University, the monument has been cherished for over half a century by the three founding universities—Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University—as well as by alumni around the world. In 1988, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the university’s founding, Peking University and the Beijing Alumni Association of the National Southwestern Associated University jointly decided to replicate the monument located on the campus of Yunnan Normal University. The replica was installed in Peking University’s Shao Yuan and unveiled on May 4th of the following year. Mr. Feng Youlan, then 94 years old and author of the original inscription, personally unveiled the replica and quoted his own words from 43 years prior, telling reporters: “The rise and fall of the National Southwestern Associated University—was it not a magnificent event of an era, rarely seen in a hundred generations? Today, the spirit of the Associated University should still be promoted and celebrated!”

The number of renowned experts in humanities and social sciences, as well as famous writers, who emerged from the National Southwestern Associated University is too many to count, including Liu Guoguang, Wang Zisong, Huang Dansen, Ren Jiyu, Zhu Dexi, Wang Jun, Ma Shitu, Wang Zengqi, Xu Guozhang, Wang Zuoliang, Chen Yulun, and others.

The faculty and student roster of the Associated University includes the names of Chen Yinke, Chen Xingshen, Hua Luogeng, Zhou Peiyuan, Feng Youlan, Fei Xiaotong, Wu Dayou, Yang Chenning, Tsung-Dao Lee, Wen Yiduo, and others. Among the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering established after the founding of New China, 164 were affiliated with the Associated University. Of the 23 recipients of China’s “Two Bombs, One Satellite” Meritorious Medal, six were students of the Associated University. Of the nine scientists who have received China’s Highest Science and Technology Award since 2000, three were students of the Associated University... Under extremely difficult conditions at the time, the National Southwestern Associated University, founded amid war, created a miracle.

Many students of the National Southwestern Associated University later became prominent politicians, with some joining the ranks of the country’s and the Party’s leadership, such as members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Chairpersons of the National People’s Congress—including Peng Peiyu. Many also held ministerial or vice-ministerial positions, such as He Dongchang, Minister of Education; Lin Zongtang, Minister of Aeronautics and Astronautics Industry; Li Ming, Vice Minister of Finance; Li Ximu, Director of the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping; Zhang Wenjin, Ambassador to the United States; and He Gongkai, Ambassador to Tanzania.

Today, when people look back on the history of the Associated University, what they see is a galaxy of brilliant stars. The outstanding individuals who came from the National Southwestern Associated University have made significant contributions to the Chinese nation and even to the world, and their names will forever be enshrined in history.

In its short nine-year existence, the National Southwestern Associated University wrote a glorious chapter in the history of education in China and even the world. For a long time, distinguished figures in academia and education both in China and abroad have shown great interest in studying this university. One American scholar who spent 30 years researching the nine-year history of the National Southwestern Associated University remarked during the 50th anniversary commemoration: “Just as some countries heavily borrow from Western educational experiences, the Chinese have been able to take pride in their modernized education system, and were able to establish a university of world-class caliber half a century ago. The legacy of this university belongs to all humanity!”

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units