Beihang University held a grand gala to celebrate its 70th anniversary on the night of October 25 in the comprehensive gymnasium on Shahe Campus. More than 700 attendees, including all the university leaders, Qi Faren, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and member of the first graduates of Beihang University, Sun Cong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and member of the class of 1983, Wang Huaming, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Su Donglin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Major General Duan Miyi, Major General Jian Shilong, alumni representatives and representatives of teachers and students, watched the performance on site. Alumni, teachers and students at home and abroad watched the live stream of the gala online, celebrating together the 70th anniversary of their Alma Mater.
The gala was composed of three parts to illustrate the glorious mission of Beihang University since the moment of its birth and to inherit Beihang's pursuit of serving the country in the fields of aeronautics and astronautics. The magnificent stage was in the shape of an aircraft, and elements of aerospace were also integrated into the performance.
With the end of the countdown, a symphony The New World (in Chinese: Xin De Tian Di) marked the beginning of the gala.
The first part, “Original Aspiration”, told Beihang's constant aspiration to serve the country from its birth during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea all the way to its declaration of building a world-class university. The poem Glorious 70 Years (in Chinese: Qi Zhi Hua Zhang) performed by student representatives showed Beihang's commitment to filling the needs of national strategies. Dreams about Stars (in Chinese: Xing Meng) sung by alumni depicted dreams of engineers in New China. The original dance Red in My Heart (in Chinese: Wo Xin Zhong De Hong) expressed deep patriotic feelings of Beihang teachers and students.
The second part, “Unremitting Efforts”, told the struggles and endeavors of four generations of Beihangers over 70 years. Microfilm Stars (in Chinese: Gei Wo Men Xing Chen De Ren) presented the devotion and expectations of Beihang teachers. One of the gala's most touching moments came when senior teachers and young students together performed the chorus Inheritance (in Chinese: San Cun Xin Huo). The show To the Sky (in Chinese: Xiong Huai Huang Yu) told the perseverance of three generations of Beihang students. Besides, wonderful shows including Vigorous Youth (in Chinese: Ben Pao De Qing Chun), Malus Micromalus (in Chinese: Xi Fu Hai Tang), Together for a Shared Future (in Chinese: Yi Qi Xiang Wei Lai), Ocean of Stars (in Chinese: Xing Chen Da Hai) exhibited the spirit of Beihang teachers and students, receiving ovations from the audience. At the end of the second part, a sitcom Live up to Youth (in Chinese: Zhu Meng Qing Chun) presented the contributions of Beihang teachers and students in major tasks of the nation.
The third part, “Unswerving Commitment”, told the new chapter where Beihang pursues to build a world-class university following the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress. Microfilm Writing a Poem in the Sky (in Chinese: Zai Tian Kong Xie Shi De Ren) recounted the struggles and explorations of Beihang teachers and students in fields of aeronautics and astronautics. A pericope of the musical Luo Yang reminded the audience of this alumnus’ great achievements. Young students in uniforms performed a dance to show their strong determination to serve the country.
Qi Faren and Sun Cong recalled their gains and thoughts when studying at Beihang University, expressed congratulations to Alma Mater for its 70th anniversary, and put forward expectations for young Beihang students.
Liu Wang, an alumnus of Beihang University and taikonaut of Shenzhou-9 mission, made a live feed and sent his wishes for the university. He hoped that more Beihang students carry on the spirit of the university and work hard for the sake of realizing the great rejuvenation of the motherland, and that Beihang University will make more progress and achievements.
Alumni, teachers and students sang Together with My Motherland (in Chinese: He Zu Guo Zai Yi Qi), with the screen showing snapshots of Beihang's growth, all of which were closely linked to the nation's development.
The gala ended with the song Navigator (in Chinese: Ling Hang) by all performers, eulogizing CPC's aspiration to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.
The gala is not only a ceremony interwoven with science and art, or a sincere blessing from Beihang teachers and students, but also a vivid and profound course on the ideological and political dimension. At the new historic starting point, all staff and students will struggle to build Beihang into a world-class university and make greater contributions in building China into a country strong in education, science and technology, and human resources.
Reported by Wei Qian
Photographed by Di Bailu, Zhang Xiuhui, et al.
Reviewed by Zhuang Yan
Edited by Jia Aiping
Translated by Wen Li
