The Exhibition Hall of Chinese Universities' Relocation During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression opens at Sanming University in Fujian province on Saturday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A panoramic exhibition commemorating the epic relocation of Chinese universities during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) opened at Sanming University in Fujian province over the weekend.

Organized by Sanming University with support from over 40 universities across China, the exhibition marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

It recreates the arduous journey of more than 150 universities, which were forced to relocate to southwestern, northwestern, central-southern, and eastern mountainous regions to preserve the flame of civilization after North China could no longer accommodate "a single quiet desk".

Tang Tao, an expert from East China Normal University who contributed to the exhibition's outline, said the wartime relocation is a vital chapter in China's educational history, and students should learn such history through exhibitions.

For over 80 years, many universities have established memorials at their relocation sites to honor this legacy, Tang said, adding that what sets this exhibition apart is its panoramic approach, capturing the entire timeline and nationwide scope of the universities' relocations.

Over 30 experts and scholars specializing in university history visit the exhibition on Saturday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The exhibition sheds light on the wartime efforts of over 20 universities founded by the Communist Party of China, filling a significant gap in historical records, according to the university.

It recounts the inspiring story of a military and political academy launched by the Party in Wayaobu, Yan'an, Shaanxi province, which traversed the border regions of Shanxi, Hebei, and Henan, cultivating over 100,000 leaders amid relentless warfare. The North China Associated University, founded by the Party, relocated its campus 23 times over six years, with 121 students and faculty members sacrificing their lives, including a 17-year-old.

A dedicated section explores the wartime relocation and post-war development of higher education institutions in Fujian and Taiwan. It highlights Xiamen University's relocation to western Fujian, where faculty and students carried their belongings 400 kilometers on foot, and the resilience of Fujian's academic institutions during the war.

Historical materials from Taiwan illustrate how universities rejoined the national education system after 1945, when Taiwan was restored to the country, underscoring the shared destiny and blood ties between compatriots in Taiwan and the mainland.

Chen Lieping, Party chief of Sanming University, said the hall stands as an enduring repository of wartime memory and an immersive platform for ideological and political education.

"In times of peace, the flame of civilization and the power of education will undoubtedly be passed down through generations, illuminating the great journey of national rejuvenation," Chen said.