Western Returned Scholars Association

The Western Returned Scholars Association (WRSA) is a people's organization composed mainly of returned overseas Chinese students from various countries. It is under the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Western Returned Scholars Association
欧美同学会
FormationOctober 1913; 111 years ago (1913-10)
TypePeople's organization
HeadquartersRuide Building, No. 5 Yumin East Road, Xicheng, Beijing
President
Ding Zhongli
Parent organization
United Front Work Department
Websitewww.wrsa.net Edit this at Wikidata
Western Returned Scholars Association
Simplified Chinese欧美同学会
Traditional Chinese歐美同學會
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinŌuměi Tóngxuéhuì
Alternate name
Simplified Chinese中国留学人员联谊会
Traditional Chinese中國留學人員聯誼會
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōngguó Liúxué Rényuán Liányìhuì

History

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The WRSA was founded in October 1913 in Beijing by Wellington Koo, Liang Dunyan, Zhan Tianyou, Cai Yuanpei, Yan Huiqing, Chengting T. Wang, and Zhou Yichun, among others.[1]

The organization ceased activities during the Cultural Revolution, and resumed its activities in 1982.[1]

Functions

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According to analyst Alex Joske, the WRSA is "the UFWD's primary body for interacting with ethnic Chinese scholars and scientists". It runs the official association for participants for the Thousand Talents Plan.[2] It is managed by the UFWD and led by the CCP Secretariat.[3]

Organization

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Presidents

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Name Took office Left office Notes
Liang Dunyan 1913 1918
Lu Zhengxiang 1918 1925
Chengting T. Wang 1925 Late 1920s
Hu Shih Late 1920s 1949
Li Zongen 1949 1950
Yan Jici 1950 1951
Cao Richang 1952 1953
Zhang Yuanshan 1953 1955
Li Zongen 1955 1956
Chen Daisun 1957 1958
Ye Jingxin 1958 1961
Chu Coching 1961
Mao Yisheng 1982 1991 President of the 1st Council
Lu Jiaxi 1991 1995 President of the 2nd Council
Wu Jieping 1995 1999 President of the 3rd Council
Ding Shisun 1999 2003 President of the 4th Council
Han Qide 2003 2013 President of the 5th and 6th Council
Chen Zhu 2013 2021 President of the 7th Council
Ding Zhongli 2021 Incumbent President of the 8th Council

References

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  1. ^ a b "欧美同学会(中国留学人员联谊会)简介" [Introduction to the European and American Alumni Association (Chinese Overseas Students Association)]. Western Returned Scholars Association. Archived from the original on 2019-05-12. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  2. ^ Joske, Alex (June 2020). "The party speaks for you". Australian Strategic Policy Institute. JSTOR resrep25132. Archived from the original on 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  3. ^ "Whispering advice, roaring praises: The role of Chinese think tanks under Xi Jinping". Mercator Institute for China Studies. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
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