On June 19, the Twelfth Congress of the Communist Party of China at Nanjing University solemnly opened on Xianlin Campus. This congress is held at a critical period when the comprehensive promotion of Chinese-style modernization is advancing the construction of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the nation into a new stage, the construction of an education powerhouse is embarking on a new journey, and the construction of a world-class Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics is taking new steps. The theme of the congress is: holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important remarks on education, science, technology, and talents, and the spirit of his important reply to NJU young scholars returning from overseas, deepening the implementation of the spirit of the National Education Conference, mobilizing and calling on all faculty, students, and staff to further unite, strive, reform, innovate, work diligently, and overcome difficulties, to accelerate the construction of a world-class Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics through sustained efforts, and to strive unremittingly for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the advancement of human civilization.
Representatives elected from various electoral units across the university attended the congress. Xu Ying, member of the Standing Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, Minister of the Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department, and Leader of the Provincial Education Work Leading Group, Wei Shiqiang, Director of Department of Ideological and Political Work of the Ministry of Education, Jiang Yong, Director and Party Secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, Ji Zhenhua, Deputy Minister of the Organization Department of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, Xu Hui, Liaison Officer for Party Building Work in Universities directly under the Ministry of Education and former President of Hohai University, some former NJU leaders, party members of the current NJU leadership team, and members of the Presidium of the congress were seated on the rostrum.
Over 70 brother universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the University of Science and Technology of China, as well as the designated assistance area of Nanjing University, Shuangbai County in Chuxiong, Yunnan Province, sent congratulatory letters to the congress, wishing it complete success.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Tan Zhemin. At 9 a.m., the audience stood up and sang the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, marking the solemn opening of the congress.
Xu Ying, on behalf of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, congratulated the convening of the congress. She stated that Nanjing University is a "pioneer" in the development of higher education in China and a "leader" in the higher education front in Jiangsu. Since the Eleventh Party Congress of Nanjing University, the university's Party Committee has contributed Nanjing University's strength to answering the era's question of "what education can do for the construction of a strong nation," showcasing NJU's role in advancing the new practice of Chinese-style modernization in Jiangsu. Higher education, as the key intersection of science, technology and talent, bears significant responsibility and glorious mission in the construction of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the nation. The Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government will, as always, fully support NJU's construction and development, serving and supporting NJU’s faculty and students in Jiangsu to showcase their talents and realize their dreams. She emphasized that NJU Party Committee should scientifically plan development strategies and goals in line with the "15th Five-Year Plan," accelerating progress towards building a world-class university. It should deeply study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important remarks on higher education, accelerating the construction of a world-class university with Chinese characteristics. It should always remember the original mission of cultivating talents for the Party and the nation, striving to cultivate more new-generation talents capable of shouldering important responsibilities. It should effectively strengthen the support role of education for science, technology and talent, fully serving the nation's major strategies and Jiangsu's high-quality development. It should continuously enhance the quality and effectiveness of Party building work, better leading NJU's high-quality development with high-quality Party building. She hopes that NJU's new Party Committee will unite as one, forge ahead, bravely shoulder responsibilities, strive for excellence, and build the unique Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics and world-class standards, making new and greater contributions to the construction of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the nation.
Wei Shiqiang, entrusted by the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Education, expressed warm congratulations on the convening of the congress. He noted that since the Eleventh Party Congress, NJU Party Committee has adhered to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its guide, with the overall goal of building a world-class university with Chinese characteristics. It has fully implemented the Party's educational policies, firmly grasped the socialist direction of running schools, and implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important reply to NJU young scholars returning from overseas. The university has made significant progress in various undertakings, taking new steps in building a world-class university with Chinese characteristics. He hopes that the new Party Committee leadership will further raise its political stance, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Affirmations," continuously enhance the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthen the "Four-sphere Confidences," and achieve the "Two Upholds". It should fully recognize the new mission, challenges, and requirements of Party building work in universities, deeply understand the importance, urgency, and systemic nature of accelerating the construction of an education powerhouse. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, it should closely unite and rely on the faculty, students, and staff, courageously advancing towards the goal of building the "unique Nanjing University," making new and greater contributions to comprehensively building a socialist modernized strong nation and comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Tan Tieniu, on behalf of the Communist Party of China Nanjing University Committee, delivered a report titled "Deepening Reform and Innovation, Strengthening Practical Work, Accelerating the Construction of a World-Class University with Chinese Characteristics through Sustained Efforts." The report is divided into four parts: the work of the past five years; accurately grasping the new situation, tasks, and requirements faced by the construction of a world-class Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics; striving to create a new situation in the construction of a world-class Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics; and comprehensively strengthening the Party's leadership.
The report comprehensively reviewed and summarized the work since the Eleventh Party Congress of Nanjing University from thirteen aspects. Tan Tieniu pointed out that the achievements of the past five years are inspiring and encouraging. The fundamental reason for these achievements lies in the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the encouragement and inspiration of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important reply spirit, the careful guidance and strong support of the higher authorities and the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, and the sustained efforts of all faculty, students, and staff working together. It also relies on the strong support of alumni, all sectors of society, and global partners. He summarized the experiences of the past five years while clearly analyzing the difficulties and challenges faced on the road ahead, analyzing the current new situation, tasks, and requirements from four dimensions: international situation, domestic development, the science and education front, and the university itself. Tan Tieniu said that in today's world, the unprecedented changes in a century are accelerating, and the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is developing deeply. The strategic overall situation of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is accelerating, and the development of the university faces a more complex and changing internal and external environment. In this context, it is necessary to continue to strive and accelerate the construction of the "unique Nanjing University."
The "Forging Ahead Initiative" further clarified the "three-step" strategic arrangement for fully building the "unique Nanjing University": First, by the 125th anniversary of the founding of the university in 2027, the construction of the "unique Nanjing University" will achieve breakthroughs, firmly ranking among the top echelon of domestic universities and significantly enhancing its international influence. By the end of the "15th Five-Year Plan" in 2030, the construction of the "unique Nanjing University" will take shape, further enhancing its domestic and international influence. Second, by the 130th anniversary of the founding of the university in 2032, the "unique Nanjing University" will be basically completed, further consolidating its position at the forefront of domestic universities and enhancing its status among world-class universities. Third, by the middle of this century, the "unique Nanjing University" will be fully built, becoming a top-tier university in China and a world-class university. The next five years are the key period for striving to achieve the first two steps of the "three-step" strategic goal and the critical stage for comprehensively building a world-class Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics. The report clarified the main goals of the university's development for the next five years. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to focus on strengthening the comprehensive leadership of the Party, emphasizing the orientation of national needs, deepening reform, overcoming difficulties, strengthening management, focusing on implementation, expanding external cooperation, and coordinating development and security.
Tan Tieniu pointed out that in the next five years, it is necessary to further accelerate the integrated development of education, science, technology, and talent, continuously creating a new situation in the construction of a world-class Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics. The report systematically deployed ten key tasks. First, benchmark strategic planning and strengthen layout planning; second, adhere to moral education and cultivate top-notch talents; third, build a first-class faculty; fourth, emphasize cross-innovation and build peak disciplines; fifth, focus on national needs and promote scientific and technological self-reliance; sixth, leverage advantages and strengths to prosper philosophy and social sciences; seventh, promote open education and deepen resource expansion; eighth, serve regional development; ninth, promote campus construction and optimize the educational structure; tenth, coordinate development and security and promote coordinated development of various undertakings.
Tan Tieniu emphasized that strengthening the comprehensive leadership of the Party is the fundamental guarantee for building the "unique Nanjing University." It is necessary to deeply understand General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thoughts on Party building, fully implement the general requirements for Party building in the new era, and lead high-quality development with high-quality Party building. It is essential to focus on strengthening the Party's political construction, continuously strengthening theoretical armament and ideological work, building strong grassroots combat fortresses, striving to build a high-quality professional cadre team, continuously improving united front and group work, and persistently promoting comprehensive and strict Party governance, providing strong guarantees for accelerating the construction of a world-class Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics through "Forging Ahead Initiative".
Tan Tieniu appealed to faculty members, staff and students to unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, firmly grasp the political, people-centered, and strategic attributes of education, accelerate the construction of a world-class Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics through sustained efforts in reform, innovation, and practical work, and make new and greater contributions to accelerating the construction of an education powerhouse and comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the nation through Chinese-style modernization!
The representatives listened attentively to the Party Committee report. The report was inspiring and encouraging, and the audience responded with rounds of warm applause.
The Discipline Inspection Commission of the Communist Party of China Nanjing University submitted a work report to the congress for review in written form.
Invited to attend the congress were responsible persons from relevant departments of the Ministry of Education, the Organization Department of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial Propaganda Department, and the Provincial Education Working Committee, former school leaders who are not representatives of this congress, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, University Honorary Distinguished Professor in Humanities and Social Sciences, University Distinguished Professor in Humanities and Social Sciences, non-Party members of the school leadership team, members of the school academic committee, members of the school faculty congress executive committee; Party representatives, deputies to the National People's Congress and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from Jiangsu Province, members of the previous Party Committee and Discipline Inspection Commission, and leaders of democratic parties and united front groups. Middle-level cadres of the school who are not representatives of this congress attended the meeting.
