CWU Launches Event to Implement Congress Spirit, Inherit Traditional Chinese Culture

In order to thoroughly study and carry out the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and learn about traditional Chinese culture, China Women's University (CWU) launched an activity on December 6 themed "Carrying Out 19th CPC National Congress Spirit, Inheriting Traditional Chinese Culture."

Nearly 40 cadres from the CWU's Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) and young teachers from different schools and departments visited Beijing Tongrentang's headquarters in Dashilar, a popular Beijing tourist destination.

Tongrentang (TRT) is a traditional Chinese medicine giant founded in 1669, which has been known for its high-quality handmade products for 188 years in China.

In 1669, the eighth year of the reign of the Kangxi Emperor in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), TRT was established in Beijing by Yue Xianyang who served as a senior physician at the Qing imperial court. In 1723, TRT was appointed as the sole supplier of herbal medicines to the imperial court by Emperor Yongzheng.

TRT is selective in choosing its raw materials and insists on purchasing the best herbs. With a history of over 300 years, its products are reputed both at home and abroad for, "unique formulas, meticulously selected medicinal herbs, top quality professionalism and highly effective treatment."

TRT was listed amongst the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage in China. The headquarters operate nearly 10,000 kinds of products, including all kinds of traditional Chinese medicines. The drugstore also provides medical advice, a decocting medicine and free express service. It has won the honorary title of "National Civilized Demonstration Unit", "Outstanding Grassroots Party Organization in Beijing" and other honorary titles.

Under the guidance of the secretary of the store's CYLC general branch, the participants gained a more profound understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and were deeply impressed by TRT staff's honest and professional ethics, as well as the splendid Chinese culture.

In the afternoon, CWU delegates visited the Soong Chingling Youth Center in Beijing. The fourth floor of the activity center was divided into two major areas: an academy of classic learning and an intangible culture heritage education center.

The classic learning areas displays traditional Chinese etiquette, folkloric music, tea ceremony and ikebana. The intangible culture area contains needlework (embroidery, printing and dyeing, sewing and spinning), handicraft products (ceramics, wooden art, calligraphy and weaving), traditional Chinese medicine, Peking opera and ancient military. Both of them systematically and profoundly display outstanding Chinese traditional culture and people's lifestyle.

Teachers learned to make porcelains and study the traditional method of making clay figurines at the pottery workshop. At the wood art workshop, those attendees studied the development history and application of Chinese traditional mortise and tendon joint structure, and made mortise pieces there.

CWU teachers under the age of 35  account for one-third of all faculty members at present. The event aims to lead youths to firm their ideals and beliefs, consciously practice core socialist values, and unite their thinking and actions with the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress.

The activity of studying traditional Chinese culture is in response to the call of President Xi caring for the young. It is necessary to carry out the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and inherit quintessence of traditional Chinese culture. Those attendees said the activity refined their sentiments, improved their qualifications and firmed their ideals and beliefs. They will serve the Party and the people's causes better in the future and make due contributions in their own positions.

(Source: China Women's University/Translated and Edited by Gender Study Network)