On November 12, 2023, the founding and flag presentation ceremony of the Montreal Chapter of the RUC North America Alumni Association was held in Montreal. RUC Vice President Zheng Xinye delivered a congratulatory address by video. RUC-NAAA President Wu Yafeng and Vice Chairwoman Liu Jing attended the ceremony. Consuls Jiao Kai, Du Ming, and Li Yongkang from the Consulate General of China in Montreal were also present to offer their congratulations. More than 50 guests and RUC alumni from Montreal’s Chinese community, academic and cultural circles attended the event.
With its operational headquarters in New York, RUC-NAAA had previously established chapters in Atlanta and Houston. The establishment of the Montreal Chapter marked the first expansion of RUC-NAAA’s directly affiliated chapter network into Canada. This not only made the association’s name—“North America”—more representative of its geographic reach, but also brought the total number of RUC alumni organizations across North America to 12. The new chapter will play an important role in better serving RUC alumni across North America and, in particular, strengthening friendship and unity among alumni in the U.S. East Coast and Eastern Canada.
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In his remarks, Zheng Xinye said that the establishment of the RUC-NAAA Montreal Chapter marked a new milestone, bringing the RUC alumni association family to its 57th member. He noted that the Montreal Chapter would help further strengthen the capabilities and reputation of RUC-NAAA, better serve alumni across North America, and especially promote friendship and unity among alumni in the U.S. East Coast and Eastern Canada.
Zheng Xinye expressed his hope that the Montreal Chapter would make full use of its role as a bridge, strengthening connections and cooperation between Renmin University of China and its alumni in Canada. He also hoped the chapter would further promote exchanges and cooperation between Renmin University and Canada in education, culture, academia, and other fields, contributing to the university’s efforts to build a world-class university with Chinese characteristics.
He also welcomed alumni to return to China and visit their alma mater, saying, “Renmin University of China will always be the home and spiritual harbor of every alumnus.”
Wu Yafeng
Representing RUC-NAAA, President Wu Yafeng warmly welcomed all guests and alumni in attendance and expressed his appreciation to the alumni who had worked hard to prepare for the event.
Wu Yafeng reviewed the development of RUC-NAAA since its establishment, including its efforts toward legalization, standardization, and institutionalization, as well as its work in connecting alumni, expanding its network, and serving society. He also highlighted the achievements of the Mingde Forum over the past nine years and the recognition RUC-NAAA has received from various sectors of society. He conveyed the encouragement and support of RUC President Lin Shangli for RUC-NAAA and the Mingde Forum.
On behalf of the RUC-NAAA Board of Directors, Wu Yafeng officially announced the establishment of the Montreal Chapter and appointed Tian Tian, a member of the 1999 cohort, as Chapter President, and Chang Jieya, a member of the 2001 cohort, as Vice President and Secretary-General.
He expressed his hope that the Montreal Chapter would uphold Renmin University’s motto of “Seeking Truth from Facts”, carry forward the RUC alumni spirit of caring for both the nation and the wider world, abide by laws and regulations, unite all forces that can be united, serve alumni effectively, and serve as a bridge of friendship between China and Canada. He also hoped the chapter would become a warm and supportive home for alumni—a community built on unity, friendship, mutual assistance, and shared growth.
Wu Yafeng and Liu Jing then presented the official flag to the Montreal Chapter, which was accepted on behalf of the chapter by Tian Tian and Chang Jieya.
Tian Tian
Montreal Chapter President Tian Tian delivered remarks expressing her gratitude to RUC-NAAA and the alumni in Montreal for their trust and support.
She introduced the history of the Montreal Chapter’s establishment and explained the original vision behind launching the Mingde Cultural Forum. Against the backdrop of a special historical period and in Quebec, a province with a distinctive cultural and historical heritage, she said that RUC alumni hoped to make a modest contribution to exchanges between China and Canada in culture, education, the arts, and the economy.
She expressed the hope that, through the Montreal Chapter and the Mingde Cultural Forum, the alumni association would continue to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship with Montreal’s Chinese community, as well as with Canada’s academic and educational communities.
Chang Jieya
Montreal Chapter Vice President and Secretary-General Chang Jieya expressed her appreciation to people from all sectors of Montreal and the guests attending the ceremony for their encouragement and support, as well as to the RUC-NAAA Board of Directors for its trust and guidance in establishing the Montreal Chapter.
She reflected with deep emotion on her years at her alma mater and the spiritual strength drawn from being an RUC alumna. She said she would live up to the trust placed in her, continue working with dedication, unite and serve fellow alumni, and carry forward the culture and values of Renmin University of China.
Congratulations from Montreal’s Chinese Community and University Alumni Associations
Cao Shoukang, a prominent leader in Montreal’s Chinese community and President of the United Chinese Association of Montreal, delivered warm congratulations. He said that the establishment of the Montreal Chapter had added a new force to Montreal’s Chinese community, while creating more opportunities and platforms for RUC alumni and the broader Chinese community to promote interaction and exchange in areas including academia and culture.
Chang Li, President of the Nankai University Alumni Association of Montreal, delivered remarks on behalf of university alumni associations across Montreal. She congratulated RUC-NAAA on the establishment of its Montreal Chapter and welcomed RUC alumni and alumni associations of other universities to jointly organize activities.
Wang Zailin, representing the Zhejiang University Alumni Association, created a vibrant calligraphic and artistic work on site as a congratulatory gift, celebrating the establishment of the RUC-NAAA Montreal Chapter.
Cao Kangshou
Chang Li
Wang Zailin
Liu Jing
Finally, Liu Jing, Vice Chairwoman of RUC-NAAA, delivered the closing remarks and extended her warm congratulations on the establishment of the Montreal Chapter.
She said that, in this multicultural city, she had been deeply impressed by the warmth, enthusiasm, and sense of unity among the local RUC alumni. She expressed her appreciation to all the guests, alumni, and friends who had attended and contributed to the event.
Looking ahead, she expressed the hope that alumni would continue to share resources and learn from one another through the platforms provided by the Montreal Chapter and RUC-NAAA as a whole, and make progress together. She encouraged everyone to cherish today’s gathering and continue moving forward with dedication in their respective fields.
Also invited to attend the event were leaders and representatives of the Montreal-area alumni associations of Nankai University, Zhejiang University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan University, Sichuan University, and other Chinese universities.
