1.The Anti-Relocation Movement

At the end of 1948, the National Government moved southward and occupied the campus of NSYSU in Shipai. In the first half of 1949, it was widely reported or speculated that the University would be relocated to Hainan and Taiwan, sparking an uproar among the faculty members and students, who initiated the Anti-Relocation Movement.

Photo 1: Report in the Hong Kong edition of Ta Kung Pao on the requisition of the campus of NSYSU

Photo 2: Report in the Hua Shang Daily " on February 6, 1949, about the Anti-Relocation Movement of NSYSU

Photos 3-5: Archives materials on the negotiations between NSYSU and the Ministry of Education regarding relocation (source from Sun Yat-sen University Archives).

2.Arrest of NSYSU students by the National Government

In the spring of 1949, the National Government relocated from Nanjing to Guangzhou and established its provisional capital there. To consolidate its rule and tighten control over the society, it took a series of measures, including the fabrication of the “July 23rd Incident” where the National Government arrested democratic and progressive individuals and students. In the early hours of that day, a large number of special agents from the Guangzhou Public Security Command surrounded NSYSU, arresting over a hundred teachers and students and confiscating a large amount of money. With the assistance from the University and various sectors of the society, all arrested students were released shortly before the liberation of Guangzhou.

Photo 1: Military and police officers arresting teachers and students on campus.

Photo 2: Military and police officers arresting students on campus..

3.The Military Administration Committee took over NSYSU

On October 2, 1949, Ye Jianying, Director of the Guangzhou Military Administration Committee, and Deputy Director Lai Chuanzhu appointed Li Fanfu as the representative of the Military Administration Committee to take over NSYSU. On October 13, 1949, President Zhang Yun left for Hong Kong, entrusting Zheng Shixu, the Head of Student Guidance, to act as President. Guangzhou was liberated on October 15, and on November 3, the Education and Cultural Takeover Committee of the Guangzhou Military Administration Committee officially took over NSYSU, with representatives Liu Qu and Wang Yue coming to the University to oversee the takeover.

Photo 1: Directive from Ye Jianying, Director of the Guangzhou Military Administration Committee, and Deputy Director Lai Chuanzhu appointing Li Fanfu as the representative of the Military Administration Committee to take over the University (source from Sun Yat-sen University Archives).

Photo 2: Li Fanfu

Photo 3: Liu Qu.