On 20th May 2021, eight Party Branches at the headquarters of the Open University of China (OUC), the Party Branch directly under the Department of OUC Projects of Beijing Open University (Beijing OU), Xianning Radio and TV University (Xianning RTVU), and Wontone Automotive Service Learning Centre of the OUC Experimental School, launched a group learning event on the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
With the aim of further studying and implementing the important speech made by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the Party History Education Mobilisation Conference, and implementing the relevant requirements of the Plan for the Implementation of Party History Education in the OUC, Li Chengwai, deputy secretary general and member of the Party Group of the Political Consultative Conference of Xianning, outstanding alumnus of the OUC, member of the Party History Publicity Group of Hubei province, and expert on cultural researches on Xiangyang Lake, was invited to deliver a special report titled Xiangyang Lake: A New World for Party History Research. Li Chengwai gave a brilliant lecture on the history of the CPC to the teachers and students of Xianning RTVU via live video broadcast using its Cloud Classroom.
At the OUC headquarters
Li Chengwai's report had four subtitles: An Important Page in the History of the Party and Country; The “Cultural Trip” of an RTVU Student; The “Xianning Complex” of Cultural Celebrities in Beijing; and Why We Should Remember Xiangyang Lake. His report led teachers and students in learning about the May 7th Cadres School, which is worthy of greater exploration. The report also helped the attendees to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Xiangyang Lake culture and the history of the May 7th Cadres School, and guided them in how to treat history and culture with an objective and pragmatic perspective and draw positive energy from past experiences. It also instructed learners to try to maintain an optimistic attitude and equip themselves with a brave and fighting spirit in the face of adversity.
At Xianning RTVU
Zhang Luanqiao, Party branch secretary of the Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development of the OUC, said in his summary that the CPC has weathered many difficulties and hardships during its development, which has also been filled with hard-won glories as well. He noted that all of the CPC’s achievements have been earned through the blood, sweat, and tears of the members of the CPC and the Chinese people. The study of the history of the CPC can deepen teachers’ and students’ understanding of the profound meaning of “understanding truth, increasing credibility, respecting morality, and then taking actions by drawing lessons from history” proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the Party history learning and education campaign on 20 February 2021. Studying Party history can help Party members to enhance their ideological consciousness and encourage them to take action, including “doing practical work,” “solving tough problems,” “making plans for major events,” “making innovations,” and “developing skills.” He urged the teachers and students to focus on their central tasks, focus on their actual work situation, and work hard to promote the transformation and development of the OUC and make it into a world-class open university.
Wantone Automotive Service Learning Centre of the OUC Experimental School organised for its students to watch the live lecture
Li Chengwai was one of the first group of graduates of China Central Radio and TV University (CCRTVU, the predecessor of the OUC) and now serves as a member of the Party History Publicity Group of Hubei Province. He was the first person in China to engage in the research of May 7th Cadres School and is an expert involved in Xiangyang Lake culture research. He is currently deputy secretary-general and a member of the Party Group of Political Consultative Conference of Xianning, a member of the China Writers Association, a visiting professor at Hubei OU, a part-time professor of Wuhan university, and an instructor of graduate students at the Party School under the Party Committee of Hubei Province. His previous positions include deputy director of the Office of Xianning Municipal Party Committee, secretary of the Party Group and director general of the Press and Publication Bureau in Xianning, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the Municipal Party Committee, director of the Party History Research Office of the Municipal Party Committee, and director of archives in Xianning City. He has been awarded the Hubei Youth May 4th Medal and been named an OUC Outstanding Graduate.
By Zhou Wen, OUC