On November 10, the 30th Anniversary of Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation was held at SMU auditorium. Dr. James S.C. Chao, Chairman of the Foremost Group, Honorable Elaine L. Chao, former US Secretary of Labor, and Ms. Angela Chao, Deputy Chairman of Foremost, Mr. Li Mingqing, President of Foremost, Ms. Wang Xiaoping, head of Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr. Xv Li, Director of Overseas Chinese Affairs of the Shanghai Government, Mr. Lu Jing, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, heads of SMU, including Prof. Yu Shicheng, Prof. Huang Youfang, Prof. Kong Fancun, Prof. Jin Yongxing, Mr. Xiao Jiaobao and Mr. Yang Wanfeng, some previous award winners and this year’s winners attended the anniversary. Prof. Kong Fancun, Vice President of SMU, hosted the ceremony.
Prof. Yu Shicheng, on behalf of SMU, extended his heart-felt thanks and warm welcome to the guests. In his speech, he said that Mulan Education Foundation founded by Dr. James S.C. Chao and his wife Ms. Mulan Chu Chao encouraged thousands of excellent students and the Mulan spirit of benevolence, optimism, perseverance and ambition inspired the youth to pursue their dreams. SMU would continue to do well in Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation, run the “Mulan Shipping Simulation Memorial Center” and “Memorial Hall for Ms. Mulan Chu Chao”, carrying forward the Mulan spirit in China’s shipping education.
Mr. Lu Jing, on behalf of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, thanked Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation for it contribution to education in Shanghai. He said Mulan Education Foundation encouraged the students mentally and financially, wishing the Mulan Education Foundation to flourish.
Ms Wang Xiaoping, on behalf of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and Chinese Overseas Exchange Association, read out the letter of congratulations, congratulating the 30th Anniversary of Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation and Mulan Scholarship.
Honorable Elaine L. Chao, former US Secretary of Labor and Overseas Chairman of the first Mulan Education Foundation, delivered a warm speech, in which she shared her parents’ stories. Their care and support for education and shipping industry of their motherland had impressed the attendees. She wished Mulan Scholarship and Mulan spirit to inspire more students to achieve their dreams.
Dr. James S.C. Chao in his 90s told the youth presenting the ceremony that the uniform they were wearing was what he always wanted 50 years ago because the uniform represented the future and hope of shipping industry. He encouraged the youth to strive more to become pillars of the nation with Chinese dream bearing in mind.
Prof. Huang Youfang presented Dr. James S.C. Chao a painting painted by Prof. Le Zhenwen, Dean of Xu Beihong Art School of SMU, extending the deep appreciation for the contribution of Mulan Education Foundation.
Mr. Xv Li, Director of Overseas Chinese Affairs of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Mr. Li Mingqing, President of Foremost, Ms. Angela Chao, Deputy Chairman of Foremost, Prof. Jin Yongxing and Mr. Xiao Jiaobao awarded the celebrative medals to the previous winners and granted the 30th Mulan Scholarship winners.
Mr. Liu Zhenhuan, first Mulan Scholarship “outstanding award” winner and now the General Coordinator of Internal Control of China Shipping Container Lines co., Mr. Tong Yao, the 30th Mulan Scholarship winner, gave a speech respectively, expressing thanks for the funding and support of Mulan Education Foundation.
Afterwards, Dr. James S.C. Chao and Honorable Elaine L. Chao also visited SMU history museum and Mulan Memorial Hall.
