1.National Sun Yat-sen University moved to Chengjiang, Yunnan

On January 10, 1939, National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) moved from Luoding City to Chengjiang County, Yunnan Province, and set up offices in Kunming, Longzhou, Hong Kong and other places. In February, faculty members and students gradually arrived in Chengjiang County, chose sites of the departments, and started operation. The College of Arts was located in the Confucian Temple and the Fenglu Primary School behind it, the Yuguang Tower, the Guanyin Pavilion, the Doumu Pavilion, and the Cuizhu Nunnery on the north of the county. The College of Medicine was located in the Tuzhu Temple and the Huolong Temple beside the West Gate of the county, the South Gate Tower, and Xiaoxicheng Village and Xiaoli Village in the southwest of the county. The Teacher College and Research Institutes were located in the Yuhuang Pavilion, Jile Temple, and the Construction Bureau in the county, and Wuling Temple on the northwest of the county. The College of Agriculture was located in Luxiying Village, Jili Village, and Yangliaoying Village. The College of Law was located in Xuxi Town, and Shangbeile Village and Xiabeile Village in the southeast of the county. The College of Engineering was located in Jinlian Village, Zhongsuo Village, and Meiyu Village, and also built temporary houses in the east of the old town. The College of Science was located in Donglongtan Village, Darenzhuang Village, Dongshan Village and Kuama Village. The Faculties were located in the Pufu Temple in the town.

Photo 1: “Pain of the Westward Journey”drawn by Du Dingyou

Photo 2: Students practiced along the way on what they have learned. Here was a student from the Department of Geography mapping on the way

Photo 3: Distribution map of NSYSU’school sites in Chengjiang

2.The launch of the Program of “Borderland Question”

On September 17, 1939, the College of Arts proposed to set up the Department of Borderland Studies. On December 23, NSYSU launched the Program of “Borderland Question”. In February of the same year, Professor Yang Chengzhi drew up the outline of establishing plan for National Southwest Minzu College and pushed for the establishment of the College.

Photos 1-2: Document from NSYSU College of Arts on the plan for establishing the Department of Borderland Studies (from Sun Yat-sen University Archives)

Photo 3: The plan for establishing the Department of Borderland Studies in NSYSU College of Arts (excerpts) (from Sun Yat-sen University Archives)

Photo 4-5: Report on the launch of the program of “Borderland Question” in NSYSU

3.Zhongshan Public Opinion started publication

In September 1939, Zhongshan Public Opinion started publication. Based on the Three Principles of the People and The Program of the War of Resistance Against Japan and Building State, the journal aimed to make contributions to the war effort and the course of building a state by academic activities. Oriented by pure academic research, Zhongshan Public Opinion discussed issues of politics, law, economy production, national defense, foreign affairs, education, and culture, etc. It also introduced world classics and new scientific knowledge to the public, making fair comments and implying right tracks of the society. The Press of Zhongshan Public Opinion appointed Xiao Guanying as Chairman, Deng Xiaoci as Chief Editor, and Siu Junying as Head of Sales.

Photo 1: Plan for the publication of Zhongshan Public Opinion (excerpts) (from Sun Yat-sen University Archives)

Photo 2: Cover of the first issue of Zhongshan Public Opinion

Photo 3: The certificate of the first volume of Zhongshan Public Opinion, issued by Censorship Commission of Books and Magazines, Yunnan Province

4.The first joint memorial-week and graduation ceremony after the relocation

On August 21, 1939, after relocating in Yunnan, NSYSU held a ceremony of the joint memorial-week, the third graduation ceremony of the Research Institutes, and the 13th graduation ceremony of the University. Feng Youlan, Dean of the College of Arts, Associated National Universities, and Wang Ruduan, Magistrate of Chengjiang County, were invited to attend the ceremony and deliver speeches.

Photo 1-3: Description of the background, place arrangement, and situation of the first joint memorial-week and graduation ceremony after the relocation (from Sun Yat-sen University Archives)

5.Government of Chengjiang County and NSYSU jointly set up the Health Association of Chengjiang County

In November 1939, in order to improve health care management, and help the public eliminate the root causes of diseases and maintain health, the Government of Chengjiang County and NSYSU jointly set up the Health Association of Chengjiang County. The Association had carried out hygiene movements and flies eradication campaigns many times, which greatly benefited the health construction of Chengjiang.

Photo 1-2: Report on the establishment and staff list of the Health Association of Chengjiang County (National Sun Yat-sen University Daily, 1939-11-20)

Photo 3: Members of the Health Association vaccinated faculty members and students against smallpox, and extended a time limit on conducting spring-cleaning (National Sun Yat-sen University Daily, 1940-3-15(1))