The year 2023 marks the 120th birthday of Mr. Wang Zhongmin, a famous modern bibliographer, Dunhuang scholar, philologist, educator of library science, the former director of the National Library of China (NLC), and founder of the Library Department (today's Department of Information Management) of Peking University. On the morning of June 30th, the symposium commemorating the 120th birthday of Wang Zhongmin was held at the NLC. The event was jointly planned and organized by the NLC and Peking University. It is also the second time since the 2003 International Academic Symposium on the 100th Birthday of Mr. Wang Zhongmin that both sides jointly hold an event to commemorate Mr. Wang Zhongmin's birthday. The National Library of China Foundation provided support for the event. 

The Symposium Commemorating the 120th Birthday of Wang Zhongmin

Experts and scholars from the host organizations and the academic community were invited to participate in this event and give speeches, and multi-perspective and in-depth exchanges and discussions were carried out focusing on Mr. Wang Zhongmin's thoughts and practices in the development of collections and business reform of the NLC, the professional education of library science in Peking University, and the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese culture, as well as his major contributions and far-reaching influence in library science, bibliography, Dunhuang Studies and other fields. The speakers include Xiong Yuanming, Director of the NLC, Director of China National Center for Preservation & Conservation of Ancient Books and Director of the National Museum of Classic Books; Zhang Jiuzhen and Wang Jingui, Professors of the Department of Information Management of Peking University; Ke Ping, Professor of the Department of Information Resources Management of the Business School of Nankai University; Zheng Binglin, Director of the Dunhuang Studies Institute of Lanzhou University; Lin Shitian, Research Librarian of the NLC; and Liu Rui, Associate Professor from the School of Literature at Shanghai University. In addition, Sun Qingwei, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC and Vice President of Peking University, delivered a written speech, which was read out by Professor Zhang Jiuzhen of the university. Mr. Wang Zhongmin's second son, Mr. Wang Ping, attended with his relatives in Beijing on behalf of whom he recalled his father's bond with "Books" throughout his entire life. The event also featured a video of Ms. Luisa E. Mengoni, Director of the Asian and African Collections Department of the British Library and Director of the International Dunhuang Program (IDP), introducing the progress of the IDP project. More than ten research institutions on library science, Dunhuang studies and historical philology as well as relevant units in and outside Beijing sent representatives to the event. The symposium was hosted by Zhang Zhiqing, Executive Deputy Director of the NLC and Deputy Director of China National Center for Preservation & Conservation of Ancient Books. 

Xiong Yuanming delivering keynote speech

Zhang Jiuzhen reading Zhang Qingwei's speech script

Wang Ping recalling his father's bond with "Books"

Director Xiong Yuanming systematically reviewed and elaborated on Mr. Wang Zhongmin's outstanding contributions to the early construction and development of the NLC, including the discovery and organization of library resources, the search and research of precious Chinese classics overseas, the safeguarding of rare books transported to the U.S., as well as the perseverance with and promotion of librarianship. He pointed out that Mr. Wang Zhongmin was not only a humble scholar who was committed to practical work and diligent in writing, but also a dedicated teacher whose pupils are spread nationwide. His deep affection for the library and his profound love for librarianship in China are worthy of deep admiration and commemoration by generations of librarians. Today, we are here to recall Mr. Wang Zhongmin's outstanding contributions to the libraries and the education of library science in China, remember his rigorous academic attitude and gentle demeanor as a teacher, and even more importantly, learn from his noble spirit of patriotism, passion for work, willingness to serve the people, and selfless dedication. Guided by the important speech of Secretary General Xi Jinping at the Cultural Heritage and Development Symposium, we will continue to enhance our consciousness and sense of responsibility to shoulder new cultural missions, build modern civilization of the Chinese nation, and write new chapters of the times. Vice President Sun Qingwei emphasized in his speech that Peking University and the NLC have the same centennial history and profound cultural heritage, and they bear the same important historical responsibility and mission in the inheritance and development of the Chinese culture. For over a century, both sides have had in-depth and frequent exchanges. Today, Peking University and the NLC are jointly hosting the commemorative event for the 120th birthday of Mr. Wang Zhongmin, which is the best proof that generations of people from both sides have joined hands in the inheritance and development of the Chinese culture. In order to better remember and inherit Mr. Wang Zhongmin's academic thoughts, cultural spirit, and patriotism, the NLC and Peking University will continue to collaborate to hold a series of commemorative activities during the year.