Brief introduction of Chen Jiageng
Chen Jiageng (1874101October 21&; Mdash & mdash1961August 12), a native of Jimei Society (now jimei district, Xiamen) in Tongan County, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province, was a famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader, entrepreneur, educator, philanthropist and social activist.
19 13 years, Jimei, who returned to his hometown, founded Jimei Primary School, Jimei Middle School, Normal School, Aquatic Products, Navigation, Commerce, Agriculture and Forestry (collectively referred to as Jimei School) and Xiamen University. Teachers and students of Xiamen University and Jimei Xue Cun all respect them as "school owners".
1949 At the invitation of President Mao Zedong, he returned to China to attend the preparatory meeting of the CPPCC. He used to be vice chairman of the National Committee of China People's Political Consultative Conference, member of the NPC Standing Committee and chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. It was once called "the flag of overseas Chinese and the glory of the nation" by Mao Zedong.
1March, 990 1 1 day, the international asteroid center and the asteroid naming Committee named an asteroid numbered 2963 as "Tan Kah Kee Star".
Chen Jiageng, who grew up in Zheng Chenggong's hometown of anti-Qing and regaining sight, made outstanding contributions to the Revolution of 1911, ethnic education, War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the War of Liberation and the construction of new China. In his later years, Chen Jiageng had the "Full Map of Taiwan Province Province" burned in the Olympic Park, and he never forgot the reunification of the country.
Chen Jiageng devoted himself to politics.
Early activities
Although Chen Jiageng lived in Nanyang, he always cared about China and actively supported China's revolutionary activities. He met Sun Yat-sen and joined the League 19 10, actively supporting Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary activities. After the Revolution of 1911, Chen Jiageng served as the chairman of Fujian Security Conference, and raised funds to support Fujian, thus stabilizing the local situation.
Chen Jiageng also actively supports cultural undertakings. He supported the International News Agency and China Business Daily sponsored by Fan Changjiang, Xia Yan and others, and also remitted money to support the reopening of Popular Life Weekly in Zou Taofen.
1928 after the Jinan tragedy in China, overseas Chinese in Nanyang launched a massive solidarity movement. Chen Jiageng served as the chairman of Shandong Disaster Relief Association, actively raised funds to help refugees, and also launched a boycott of Japanese goods.
Resolutely resist Japan
1937, War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression broke out in an all-round way. Nanyang Overseas Chinese Relief Association for Motherland Refugees was established in Singapore, and Chen Jiageng was elected as its president. He took the lead in donating money and organizing various activities. In the past 1939, overseas Chinese in Nanyang remitted more than 360 million yuan to the motherland. During the four and a half years from the Lugouqiao Incident to the outbreak of the Pacific War, * * * donated about 6,543.805 billion yuan, which greatly supported China's anti-Japanese forces.
1938 10 after the fall of Guangzhou and Wuhan, China's external traffic was on the verge of paralysis. The newly-built Yunnan-Myanmar highway has become the main artery of military transportation. Not only a large number of military vehicles are needed, but also a large number of skilled drivers and automobile mechanics are urgently needed. The General Manager's Office of Southwest Import and Export Materials Transportation of the Military Commission of the National Government invited Mr. Chen Jiageng to recruit drivers and repairmen in Nanyang (commonly known as "Nanqiao Technician" or "Overseas Chinese Technician"). 1In February, 939, the Southern Overseas Chinese Association led by Chen Jiageng quickly issued the No.6 notice "Recruiting automobile maintenance drivers to return to China for service". On the one hand, Chen Jiageng called on overseas Chinese to donate money and materials and buy a large number of cars and munitions; On the other hand, he personally went to various ports in Nanyang to give speeches and mobilize, and the vast number of overseas Chinese youths responded enthusiastically and signed up one after another. Bai Qingquan and others first signed up in Singapore and immediately approved 30; Liao Guoxiong, Lai Yuguang and others. He took the lead in registering in Bazhou and Bagan, and immediately approved 50 applicants. On February 18 of the same year, the first batch of 80 members of the Nanqiao Mechanic Returning Service Group set off in Singapore, and the Nanqiao General Association held a grand farewell party. Chen Jiageng encouraged everyone: "You are returning to China to serve millions of overseas Chinese, so you must stick to it." . A newspaper in Singapore published a special farewell issue, praising the first batch of returned mechanics as "eighty pioneers".
Oppose treason
Chen Jiageng persisted in the war of resistance to the end, and put forward the famous proposal of "making peace first, then defending the enemy from going abroad" at the second meeting in Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. After five revisions, the original intention of the telegraph proposal was distorted and its edge was cut off. However, it still had an increasingly widespread influence, inspiring the hearts of the people of the whole country and the vast number of overseas Chinese, and also played a great role in inspiring the warring factions in Chongqing at that time.
(Press: The above statement that "the enemy made peace before leaving the country is a traitor" is widely circulated and does not match the facts. The original proposal is not only 1 1, but three articles with more than 100 words. Wang Jingwei and his party deleted the second and third suggestions, and the first one was revised several times, trying to blur the pertinence of the suggestions and deleting it as "civil servants are not allowed to talk about peace cases". After heated discussion, members of the general assembly thought that the nine-character amendment was vague and neither fish nor fowl, just like a joke, and expressed their opposition. The word 19 was finally decided, that is, "civil servants shall not make peace before the Japanese aggressors withdraw from our country", which became the official document of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and was published in Chongqing Central Daily 1938+0 1.2. As this is Chen Jiageng's famous proposal that shocked China and foreign countries and resolutely opposed traitors' surrender and compromise, the original excerpt is as follows:
Speaker and Secretary (Director):
TEPCO knows. Geng was unable to attend the meeting because of something. I'm very sorry.
There are two proposals, begging for the consent of a sufficient number of politicians and submitting them to a referendum.
First, before the Japanese invaders withdrew from our country, all civil servants were regarded as traitors and traitors when they talked about peace conditions with anyone.
2. During the Anti-Japanese War, summer vacation was forbidden in schools and colleges.
Third, long coats and mandarin jackets should be abolished within a time limit to revitalize the heroic spirit of our nation.
Chen Jiageng kowtows (1938 65438+1October 26th)
Visit Yan 'an
1in March, 940, Chen Jiageng led the "Nanyang overseas Chinese delegation" organized by the South Overseas Chinese General Association to express condolences to the front-line soldiers and the soldiers and civilians in the rear, which was a major turning point in his life. Before returning to Chongqing from 1927 to 1940, he was a staunch supporter of Chiang Kai-shek, saying that "Chiang Kai-shek is the only leader supported by 47 million compatriots at home and abroad in China" and "Chiang Kai-shek's will, that is, the will of the people of China". All the anti-Japanese war donations were remitted to the Executive Yuan of the National Government. After arriving in Chongqing and Yan 'an, he learned the truth about China's anti-Japanese war, distinguished right from wrong, and made a leap in ideological understanding, and came to the conclusion that "the * * * production party will win and the Kuomintang will fail".
Chen Jiageng's trip to Yan 'an was a milestone in his political career. He said that it is not easy to come to Yan' an to express condolences this time. The Kuomintang spread rumors, damaged the reputation of the * * * production party, and set obstacles everywhere to prevent us from going to Yan' an. Chiang Kai-shek praised him, wooed him, and interfered with his contact with the leaders of China's * * * production party. Chen Jiageng arrived in Yan 'an on May 3 1, 1940, in order to find out the truth of the friction between the two countries and persuade the two parties to unite in the war of resistance. He was scheduled to stay in Yan 'an for three days, and it happened that Li Tiemin was hospitalized in a car accident, so Chen Jiageng stayed in Yan 'an for four more days. On the morning of June 8, he left Yan 'an to visit Shanxi Theatre.
"At that time, Chen Jiageng needed some courage to visit Yan 'an. At that time, Yan 'an was close to the front line and was often attacked by air. Yan' an city has been bombed by Japanese planes, and the newly built pits have also been blown up. Gunfire from the air raid siren sounded from time to time. Just before Mr. Chen Jiageng visited Yan 'an in April and May, General Wang Zhen had just led the 359th Brigade to smash the six-way attack of the Japanese invaders on the river defense in northwest Shanxi. The Eighth Route Army throughout Shanxi cooperated with the battlefield in northwest Shanxi to defeat the Japanese army and annihilate more than 50,000 enemy troops. In the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia border region, the combat readiness exercise to defend Yan' an has just ended. More than 200 overseas Chinese youths who stayed in Yan' an also participated in exercises in their respective schools and institutions, preparing to March and fight. "
During his stay in Yan 'an, Mr. Chen Jiageng attended four mass gatherings, met with Mao Zedong, Zhu De and other party and government leaders for many times, and had in-depth talks. Visited China Women's University, Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, Yan 'an Ronghe Ansai Iron and Steel Plant and Printing Factory; Talk with the person in charge of finance, public security and justice; Extensive contact with alumni of Jimei School and Xiamen University; He also had many contacts and discussions with people from all walks of life in Yan' an and returned overseas Chinese youth; Attend welcome and farewell parties from all walks of life in Yan 'an.
When meeting with Mao Zedong, Mao Zedong described the future country to Chen Jiageng: there are no corrupt officials; Second, there are no local tyrants and evil gentry; Third, do not gamble; Four no prostitutes; No little wife; Six didn't beg; 7. Those who have not formed political parties for personal interests; Eight not depressed; Nine, no one eats friction rice; No one gets rich.
Chen Jiageng visited Yan 'an this time, and after on-the-spot investigation, he saw with his own eyes that the army and the people in the border region were consistent, and the officers and men were consistent. He thought this was "the foundation of defeating the enemy". On the other hand, officials in the Kuomintang's "rear area" were corrupt, waiting for foreign aid, the people's sufferings were ignored, and the military was losing ground. In contrast, I feel that China's * * * production party knows the hearts and minds of overseas Chinese, while the Kuomintang does not care. Chen Jiageng said that what he was most satisfied with during his visit to Yan 'an was that he really saw China's adherence to national unity and the war of resistance to the end, with a firm stand and sincere attitude; I am particularly moved by the spirit of hard struggle in all walks of life in the border area. Through this visit, his confidence in the victory of the Anti-Japanese War was strengthened. The "mystery" in his heart was also solved. It is the Kuomintang that sabotages the war of resistance, surrenders, betrays the country and harms the people. It is the China Producers' Party that truly resists Japan and saves the nation, maintains unity and draws the conclusion that "China hopes to be in Yan 'an".
During the civil war
1946 after the outbreak of the civil war, Chen Jiageng opposed American aid to Chiang Kai-shek and called the President of the United States and Congress in the name of the Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Federation to protest. He also boycotted the National Assembly convened by Chiang Kai-shek, pointing out that Chiang Kai-shek was arbitrary, so he did not hesitate to flatter foreign countries to consolidate his position and eliminate dissidents. Compared with thieves such as Shi Jingtang, Qin Gui, Wu Sangui and Wang Jingwei, it is even worse. " 1947, the Association of Overseas Chinese in Singapore for Peace and Democracy in the Motherland (hereinafter referred to as "ADPL") was organized to actively support the democratic parties in their struggle to stop the civil war.
Elderly activities
1949 In May, Chen Jiageng returned to China at the invitation of Mao Zedong to attend the preparatory meeting of the China People's Political Consultative Conference. In September of that year, he attended the China People's Political Consultative Conference as the chief representative of overseas Chinese. 10 year 10 month 1 day, I attended the founding ceremony in People's Republic of China (PRC) at Tiananmen Gate. Since then, Chen Jiageng has served as a member of the Central People's Government, a member of the Standing Committee of the First China People's Political Consultative Conference, a member of the Central Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, a vice chairman of the East China Administrative Committee, a chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, a deputy to the First National People's Congress and a vice chairman of the Third Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
196 1 02 August 12, Chen Jiageng died in Beijing at the age of 87. Buried in Jimei Olympic Park, Fujian.
Education in Chen Jiageng
Attach importance to education
Chen Jiageng is not only a great patriot and a famous industrialist, but also an educator who devoted his life to educating Guoxing. When Chen Jiageng's career reached its peak, he only had a capital of about1000-20 million yuan. Among the entrepreneurs in China at that time, many people were richer than him, but Chen Jiageng was the only one who consistently gave generously to the country and the nation and lived a very frugal life. Because of this, Mr. Huang Yanpei once said: "The only person who made a fortune is Mr. Chen." The focus of investment education in Chen Jiageng is Jimei School, Xiamen University and Singapore Overseas Chinese School. That is, I am determined to establish Jimei school, from primary school to middle school, and various professional colleges. The school is large in scale, and the number of teachers and students ranks first in the country. At the same time, Chen Jiageng also actively funded the establishment of six overseas Chinese schools in Singapore, creating a new trend for overseas Chinese to run schools. 19 19, Chen Jiageng company further developed, and the total assets of the company reached about 4 million yuan, so it returned to China ambitiously to organize Xiamen University, the first overseas Chinese-run university in China. In order to set an example, he took the lead in pledging 4 million silver dollars. Its pledge amount is exactly equivalent to the total value of all its assets at that time. Chen Jiageng's boldness and foresight in spending money on patriotism and promoting learning are rare in the world.
Chen Jiageng said: "People's wisdom is inseparable, and people's minds are uneven. It is clear that enlightening the people's wisdom will help the revolution and save the country. Education is the cause of several generations and the fundamental measure to improve the national cultural level, which is needed at all times. " Based on the above purposes and motives, he spared no expense in running a school.
Educational thought
Chen Jiageng is not only an educator, but also an educator. In the long-term practice of running a school, his educational thoughts have been formed: First, he advocates women's education and opposes son preference. Vigorously advocating the establishment of girls' schools to let women go to school was commendable under the historical conditions at that time, and it was the first to open the atmosphere; Second, emphasize preferential treatment for poor children and reward normal students. He opposes running a school that separates the rich from the poor, and tries his best to help the poor children go to school. At the same time, he attaches great importance to the cultivation of normal students, strictly selects and looks for teachers, and rewards outstanding students; Third, pay attention to teaching quality and all-round development. Chen Jiageng paid attention to "paying equal attention to morality, intelligence and physique" and emphasized all-round development from the beginning of running a school; Fourthly, he advocates that "there is no good school without good teachers" and emphasizes the establishment of teachers' dominant position in schools. He believes that the key to running a school well lies in leaders and teachers. "A thousand troops are easy to get, but a thousand troops are hard to find." In order to improve the teaching quality, it is very important to choose teachers. So he attaches great importance to the choice of principals and teachers. Fifth, in order to revitalize industry, train production technicians and advocate vocational and technical education; Sixth, it is required to popularize education, draw up Tongan's "Ten-year Universal Education Plan" and establish Tongan Education Association and Education Promotion Department. He fought for the cause of education all his life.
Learning motivation
When Chen Jiageng became rich, the first thing he thought of was to revitalize the country. He said: "The country's prosperity lies in the people, the development of the people lies in education, and education is the foundation of the country." As early as the 20th year of Guangxu reign in Qing Dynasty (1894), he donated 2,000 silver dollars to start a book on Tizhai in his hometown. In March of the third year of the Republic of China, Jimei junior high school was established. Since then, girls' primary schools, normal schools, middle schools, kindergartens, fisheries, business, agriculture, forestry, Chinese studies colleges and naive normal schools have been established and gradually developed. There are electric light factories, hospitals, science museums, libraries and large gymnasiums in the schools. The world-famous Jimei School Village was built in a remote fishing village in the past. Chen Jiageng's motivation and patriotism can be reflected in his Letter to Jimei School Students 19 18;
"Weak education, weak industry and short livelihood,&; It's sad that hellip& amphellip said this. Our country is now under the control of a big country, which is a matter of success or failure. Since we are in no hurry to catch up, we can't escape the elimination of natural expression. So I have been abroad for decades, and my life is at stake, which is not enough for me to think much. I am independent of learning and do it at the cost of money. It is for this reason that those who work hard only in Japan dare not relax. Most young people are patriots, but they are cautious about my intention to learn, like-minded, responsive, and have high hopes for the well-being of the country, but also for the sake of creating mulberry. " (Publisher: Several Letters to Jimei School Students, from Mr. Chen Jiageng's Memorial Book)
Start a school
19 13, Chen Jiageng founded a primary school in his hometown of Jimei, Tongan County, quanzhou county, and later founded ten schools in normal schools, middle schools, aquatic products, navigation, commerce, agriculture and forestry. There are kindergartens, hospitals, libraries, science and technology museums, and education promotion departments, collectively referred to as "Jimei School"; In addition, it has funded more than 70 primary and secondary schools in all parts of Fujian Province and provided guidance for running schools. 1923, Marshal Sun Yat-sen's base camp approved "recognizing Jimei as a permanent peaceful learning village in China", hence the name "Jimei Learning Village". There is no second "school" with such a large scale and complete system in China.
Raise tuition fees
192 1 year, Chen Jiageng pledge 1 ten thousand yuan, annual fee12 * * three million yuan. Xiamen University was founded, 17 Business Education in Arts, Sciences, Law and Education. This is the only university founded by overseas Chinese. Xiamen University started school on April 6th, 192 1, and Chen Jiageng maintained it at 16. Later, the world economic recession severely hit overseas Chinese enterprises. In the face of difficulties, Chen Jiageng still said firmly: "I would rather sell my property than support Xiamen University". He sold his three buildings to support Xiamen University.
Chen Jiageng invested all his money in education. He hoped that people with lofty ideals would keep hearing the news and inspire China. Therefore, despite the collapse of the enterprise, he still raised tuition fees in various ways, struggled to support and persisted. It is estimated that he spent more than 1 100 million dollars on running schools in his life. Under his advocacy, many overseas Chinese donated money for education, which became a common practice and had far-reaching influence.
Give back to the motherland
Chen Jiageng has built dozens of magnificent high-rise buildings for Jimei and Xiamen University, but his house is a simple two-story building, small and dark, which is inconvenient to handle affairs, but he is very happy. His life is hard and simple, and he is humble. Bed, desk, sofa, mosquito net, etc. It's all ancient. Coat, trousers, shoes and socks are patched. His family has millions of property, but in his later years, he set himself a low food standard of 50 cents a day, often eating sweet potato porridge, peanuts, dried tofu and a fish. His motto is: "Don't be stingy with the money you should use, and don't waste the money you shouldn't use."
Although Chen Jiageng was once one of the successful Chinese industrialists in Nanyang, his personal life has always been very simple. He wrote in his autobiography, "My personal family has only a few thousand dollars, and a month's salary is enough to pay. It doesn't cost 10 thousand yuan to build a house in Jimei. He has nothing. " But he is very charitable, especially for setting up education, and he is very enthusiastic. As early as 19 13, he founded a primary school in his hometown, and 19 18 founded a normal school, a middle school for boys and girls in all primary schools and kindergartens. With the vigorous development of his career, he constantly founded water navigation schools, business schools, agriculture and forestry schools, kindergarten teachers schools and so on. In Jimei, a science museum (now the College of Engineering and Technology of Jimei University), a library and a hospital have also been established, making Jimei a systematic and complete learning village.
Running schools overseas
In Singapore, Chen Jiageng is also very enthusiastic about the education of the children of overseas Chinese. 19 19 established the large-scale "Singapore Nanyang Overseas Chinese Middle School", which was the highest institution for overseas Chinese in Nanyang at that time. After War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, she founded the Water Navigation School, Nanqiao Normal School and Nanqiao Girls' Middle School. At that time, a church asked Chen Jiageng to donate 654.38 million yuan to set up a university, but Chen Jiageng generously agreed, but proposed to offer Chinese courses at the same time.
While bearing the huge expenses of Jimei and Xiamen University, Chen Jiageng also contacted overseas Chinese in Singapore on 10 to organize Tongan Education Association and supported Tongan County to establish more than 40 primary schools. In the Republic of China 13, Chen Jiageng changed Tongan Education Association into Jimei School Education Promotion Department. By the 24th year of the Republic of China, 73 primary and secondary schools in 20 counties and cities in the province had received subsidies, with a total amount of 193227 silver dollars, all of which were borne by Chen Jiageng. While living overseas, Chen Jiageng vigorously promoted the establishment of a Chinese school, which was once the Singapore Daonan School. In 4 years, he donated 30,000 yuan to establish Singapore Chongfu Girls' School, and in 8 years, he donated more than 400,000 yuan as a school fund. In March 36, Nanyang Girls' Middle School was established.