In the late 1980s, Mr. and Mrs. Zhou Peiyuan donated the authentic ancient calligraphy and paintings they had collected for many years to the Wuxi Museum of China for free, and then donated all the government bonuses to their hometown and the schools where they worked and studied.

The patriotic actions of Zhou Peiyuan and his wife deeply educated the whole society, causing some friends, students, colleagues and units to donate money and set up various bonuses and funds named after Mr. Zhou Peiyuan to fund and reward scientific research, education, culture and peace undertakings.

In order to better play the role of the fund, with the approval of relevant Chinese departments, the Zhou Peiyuan Foundation was formally established in 1993.