The Surging News reporter Nan Boyi intern Li Tiantian
On August 3, local time, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said that yan Huiqing, the first international student at the University of Virginia to earn a bachelor's degree and a famous diplomat and social activist of the Republic of China era, will be awarded a "highway historical marker", which is a historic project.
Yan Huiqing
According to the Local Virginia media "The Daily Progress" reported on the 3rd, the state government confirmed a total of 5 new "marks", all of which were applied for at the "Asian and Pacific Islanders" (AAPI) commemoration event held in May this year. In addition to Yan Hye-kyung, there are also South Korean independence movement politician Kim Kyu-sik and football coach Arthur Matsu.
Speaking at the day's online commemoration, Northam said, "Throughout history, Asians and Pacific Islanders have made significant contributions to our federation and nation, but their stories are often unknown. Northam said the birth of these five new "markers" will continue to work to tell a more comprehensive and inclusive Virginia story. The five "markers" will be submitted to the Historical Resources Committee in September and are expected to be approved in the coming months.
Born in Shanghai in 1877, Yan Huiqing was a well-known diplomat and social activist of the Republic of China era. Yan Huiqing studied in The Tongwenguan in Shanghai in his early years, and after graduation, he was sent to the United States to study, and entered the University of Virginia to pursue a bachelor's degree, which was the first international student to obtain a bachelor's degree.
After graduating in 1900, Yan Huiqing returned to Shanghai to teach at St. John's College. St. John's College was the first American university in China, and Yan Huiqing's father was also involved in the founding of the school. In 1906, Yan Huiqing began compiling a comprehensive Yinghua Dictionary, which was later published by the Commercial Press in Shanghai, becoming the first such dictionary in China.
In 1907, Yan Huiqing began his diplomatic career in Washington, D.C., as second counselor of the Chinese Legation in the United States, responsible for the affairs of Chinese students studying in the United States. Later, he returned to Beijing and in 1912 was appointed acting superintendent of Tsinghua Xuetang. In addition, Yan Huiqing has held a series of important administrative and diplomatic positions, including China's first ambassador to the Soviet Union and chief delegate to the League of Nations Congress. In addition, in the spring of 1919, he also served as an adviser to the Chinese delegation to the Paris Peace Conference.
Beginning in 1921, Yan Huiqing served as Prime Minister of the Republic of China five times. In 1924, he was elected chairman of the board of directors of the China Education and Culture Fund. This is a non-governmental cultural and educational institution established with the "Gengzi Indemnity" refunded by the United States, aiming to "promote Chinese education and cultural undertakings", and part of the foundation's funds are used to allow Tsinghua students to study in the United States.
According to the university's official WeChat public account, Yan Huiqing's study at the University of Virginia not only represents an important milestone in the history of the University of Virginia, but also the beginning of the state's "vigorous and mutually beneficial knowledge exchange and cooperation" with China. In honor of this legendary figure and to seek support for ongoing collaboration and exchange, the University of Virginia established the Yan Huiqing China Foundation on behalf of Yan Huiqing to support students, faculty, and visiting scholars from Chinese communities around the world who are engaged in research, teaching, or learning about Chinese history, society, or culture.
Northam admits that throughout history, Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities have made significant contributions to the United States, but their stories are often not known, "As we continue our efforts to tell a more comprehensive and inclusive Virginia story, I thank Virginia students and educators for their efforts to help elevate the voice of outstanding Asia Pacific Virginians with these five new historical markers." "
Virginia Chief Diversity Officer Janice Underwood noted that the Asia Pacific American History Marker Competition provides students, teachers, and families with an alternative way to think critically and intentionally understand Virginia's history, "The students participating in this competition are helping to advance the mission of 'One Virginia' to tell a more complete picture of our common identity as Virginians, including the contributions of our Asian Pacific-American residents." ”
According to the official Virginia website, the Virginia Highway Historical Marker Project was founded in 1926 to commemorate traditional themes such as military events, colonial ruins, and prominent Virginians in early American society, and today it has covered outstanding people in various fields from writers and musicians to architecture, transportation, and industry, as well as events that have had a significant impact on Virginia's history. There are more than 2,600 "highway historic markers" in Virginia, and 20 to 40 new "markers" are added each year, usually applied for by individuals or groups, and installed by the local transportation department after review by the department of historical resources.
Editor-in-Charge: Wang Xinran
Proofreader: Ding Xiao