In 1937, as the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression intensified, scholars and students from three leading universities—Peking University, Tsinghua University and Nankai University—packed their books and journeyed over 1,000 km to Kunming in Yunnan Province. There, they merged to form the National Southwest Associated University, known affectionately as Lianda.
Operating under constant threat of aerial raids and with scarce resources, Lianda became a symbol of resilience. Lectures took place in makeshift classrooms, former temples and even open fields when buildings were damaged. By 1945, the university had welcomed more than 1,200 students and nurtured dozens of future leaders in science, literature and the arts.
Today, visitors to Kunming can walk through the remnants of Lianda’s original campus. CGTN journalist Yang Jinghao highlights preserved lecture halls and converted cultural centres that celebrate this wartime campus’s spirit of collaboration and innovation.
Why Lianda’s Story Still Resonates
- Global Citizenship: Lianda shows how academic communities adapt and unite during crisis.
- Innovation Under Pressure: Limited resources spurred creative teaching methods and research breakthroughs.
- Cultural Preservation: Students kept art, music and literature programs alive amid conflict.
For today’s global citizens, entrepreneurs and changemakers, the National Southwest Associated University offers a powerful lesson: with determination and unity, education can thrive even in the darkest times.
Reference(s):
Southwest Associated University: A miracle of education in wartime
cgtn.com
